US President Donald Trump has said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cannot finalise any peace deal unless the United States agrees. His comment referred to the peace plan being prepared by his administration to end the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Trump made this statement just before his expected meeting with Zelensky in Florida this weekend.
In an interview with Politico, Trump said, “He doesn’t have anything until I approve it. So we’ll see what he’s got.”
Trump also said he expects the meeting to be useful. He added that he plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin very soon. He told Politico that he would talk to Putin “soon and as much as I want.”
High-Level Meeting Planned in Florida
Zelensky is scheduled to meet Trump in Florida on Sunday. The talks will mainly focus on land disputes, which remain the biggest obstacle in peace negotiations.
This meeting is taking place while a 20-point peace plan and a security guarantee agreement are close to being finalised. These proposals are part of Washington’s efforts to bring an end to the war.
Zelensky Says Key Decisions Could Come Soon
While announcing the meeting, Zelensky said major progress could be made soon. He said “a lot can be decided before the New Year,” as the US continues to lead diplomatic efforts to stop Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The war is now the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two.
Territorial Issues at the Center of Talks
Zelensky said that some of the most sensitive issues will be discussed with Trump. These include eastern Ukraine and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
He told reporters in a WhatsApp chat, as quoted by Reuters, “As for the sensitive issues, we will discuss both Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. We will certainly discuss other issues as well.”
Referendum Possible Under Conditions
Axios reported that Zelensky is willing to put the US-led “20-point” peace plan to a national vote. However, he said this could happen only if Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire. That pause would allow Ukraine enough time to prepare for and hold a referendum.
Also Read: Zelensky to Meet Trump in Florida as Ukraine Pushes for US Security Guarantees to End War
Russia and Ukraine Still Divided on Territory
Russia wants Ukraine to leave the eastern parts of the Donetsk region that Russian forces have not yet captured. Moscow is trying to gain full control over the Donbas region, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk.
Ukraine, however, wants fighting to stop at the current front lines instead of giving up more land.
US Suggests Economic Zone as a Compromise
To bridge the gap, the US has proposed creating a free economic zone if Ukraine withdraws from the disputed areas. This idea is meant to serve as a compromise between both sides.
However, the proposal does not explain how this economic zone would work or who would control it.