The Telegraph: Ukraine Considers Ceding Territories to Halt Fighting
Ukraine is considering ending hostilities by ceding territories seized by Russia as part of a peace plan supported by Europe, The Gaze informs, citing The Telegraph.
According to the publication, Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on European leaders to reject Donald Trump's peace plan, which provides for further territorial concessions by Ukraine. At the same time, Russia may be allowed to retain part of the territories it has seized.
This plan basically recognizes Russia's control over the occupied areas of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea.
The softening of the negotiating position comes ahead of Friday's meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Describing the tense weekend of diplomatic negotiations between Kyiv and its partners, a Western official said: “This plan can only be linked to the current positions of the military.”
Ukraine and Europe are increasingly concerned that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin may agree to end the war without taking Volodymyr Zelenskyy's position into account.
It is worth recalling that negotiations between European leaders and the presidents of Ukraine and the United States ahead of Donald Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin were scheduled for Wednesday, August 13.
The main cause for concern in Europe was the peace plan approved by Moscow, which provides for a freeze on the front line in southeastern Ukraine on condition that Ukrainian troops withdraw from parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
At the same time, European diplomats emphasize that Putin's military goals remain unchanged — he seeks to overthrow the pro-European government in Kyiv and install a pro-Russian intermediary.
Moreover, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that there are no signs that Russia is preparing to end the war. “On the contrary, they are moving their troops and forces in such a way as to launch new offensive operations,” he said, citing a report from Ukraine’s intelligence.
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