Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine has made public statements about his willingness to work in cooperation with the United States on a U.S.-crafted peace plan that aims to end the conflict with Russia. President of Ukraine+4Reuters+4MyJoyOnline+4 The announcement comes amid rising international pressure, shifting dynamics on the battlefield, and concerns among European allies about the terms being proposed.
In a statement issued following an interaction with senior U.S. military and diplomatic officials, Zelensky said: “Our teams -that is, Ukraine as well as the USA — will collaborate on the key elements of the plan to stop the conflict. We are open to an honest, constructive and speedy action.” Reuters+1 The phrase highlights Ukraine’s willingness to cooperate to “their goals” — i.e. the U.S.-drafted plan — but Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine’s core values of integrity, sovereignty and peaceful peace will not be undermined. President of Ukraine
It is believed that the U.S. plan, reportedly as a 28-point document, offers numerous significant concessions made by Ukraine including acceptance of Russian control over the regions of Donbas, Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk as well as a limitation on the number of Ukraine’s military to around 600,000 soldiers; and a suspension of NATO commitments to membership or deployments within Ukraine. 2Reuters+The Washington Post Although the plan is presented in The U.S. as a potential “win-win” solution, many observers, including the key European members, are worried that the proposal could amount to a de facto surrender to Kyiv. The Washington Post
The fact that Zelensky has agreed to cooperate does not imply that he endorses each element. His office emphasized the fact that Ukraine is a country that has “outlined the fundamental principles that matter to our people” and emphasized that any agreement in the U.S. U.S. must result in an authentic, lasting peace -not just an agreement that is temporary or cease-fire. MyJoyOnline In actual fact, Zelensky emphasised: “Ukraine requires peace. Peace that is real – one which will not be ruined by a third incursion. A respectful peace in accordance with our sovereignty, independence as well as the rights for our Ukrainian population.” President of Ukraine
The wider context is vital. Russia continues to conduct military operations in Ukraine while Ukraine remains heavily dependent upon Western military as well as diplomatic and economic support. The U.S., for its part, appears keen to shift from purely military assistance to a diplomatic-settlement phase. However, this raises a number of questions: Will Ukraine accept any deal that includes territorial compromises? Do Ukraine’s major allies, especially in Europe will be able to accept U.S.-led agreements that appear to favor Moscow? What will agreement deal with security, enforcement, and reconstruction?
European officials have expressed doubts: they have warned that peace should not be tied to an end to Ukrainian rights, or the weakening of Europe’s overall security framework. The Washington Post For Ukraine the stakes are extremely highthere is a difference between a long-lasting peace based on equality and security, or a rushed deal that could leave the country vulnerable.
In the final analysis, Zelensky’s willingness to cooperate together with U.S. on “their vision” could signal a possible pivot in the diplomacy that ended the war that will shift from military logic to a political negotiation. His task is to ensure that talks do not undermine Ukraine’s most important demands: restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as secure security. The question is whether this U.S.-backed plan develops into a viable plan for peace or is a cause of external and internal conflict is yet to be determined.