Ukrainian delegation at the talks. Stock photo: Rustem Umierov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine
US pressures Ukraine and could exit talks to focus on Iran – UP sources
The US, together with Russia, is pressuring Ukraine over the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donetsk Oblast. Sources have said that if there is no progress, Washington may withdraw from the negotiations and shift its focus to military operations in Iran.
Ukrainska Pravda
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The US, together with Russia, is pressuring Ukraine over the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donetsk Oblast. Sources have said that if there is no progress, Washington may withdraw from the negotiations and shift its focus to military operations in Iran.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda article
Quote from a member of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's team familiar with the results of the latest round of talks on 21-22 March: "The Americans do not see where we can reach an agreement on the main issue. And this could force them to leave the process altogether, switch to Iran, their elections and so on. They are even ready to offer us real security guarantees if we withdraw from Donbas. But I simply cannot imagine how this could be implemented in Ukraine."
Details: It was noted that the real start of the negotiation process dates back to the summer meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Anchorage.
Russia is now consistently referring back to the "agreements" allegedly reached with Trump in Anchorage, which is hindering the development of a genuine negotiation process with Ukraine.
Quote from another member of Zelenskyy's team familiar with the talks: "It feels like there are three sides present at the meetings, but Ukraine is constantly arguing with this 'Anchorage' issue. Whatever is discussed, everything comes back to the Americans saying something like: 'Withdraw from Donbas and we will build a paradise for you, as agreed in Alaska.'"
Details: The key issue in the negotiations remains the presence of Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast.
Quote from a source involved in the talks: "Our side is spending a lot of time trying to steer the Americans away from the idea of withdrawal towards creating some kind of economic zones or other alternatives. But at some point everything is dropped and once more we hear: 'You need to withdraw.' And it goes round in circles."
Details: In addition, Ukraine remains dependent on financial support from its allies.
Quote from a senior member of Zelenskyy's team: "Europeans insist that funding will be provided and that they will find a way around Hungary's opposition. We are managing within our current budget for now. But if the EU does not come up with a solution, by the second half of the year we may still have funds for the armed forces, but not for social payments. And it is completely unclear what to do then.
That is why Budanov [Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office] and Arakhamia [Davyd Arakhamia, leader of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction] have to keep travelling, keep talking and searching for the right wording for as long as it takes. Otherwise, it could mean several more years of war without the US. Are people ready for that? I fear not."
Background:
On 22 March, Zelenskyy said following meetings between the Ukrainian and US negotiating teams that there were signs that Kyiv-Moscow prisoner exchanges might continue.
On 21 March, Rustem Umierov stated that representatives of Ukraine and the US in Florida had continued discussions on further steps within the negotiation process, while Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff described the meeting between the Ukrainian and US delegations as constructive, noting it focused on "narrowing and resolving remaining items".
Budanov stated that Moscow had agreed to accept US-proposed security guarantees for Ukraine. He also reported progress within the military sub-group of the talks.
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