Russia's insistence on legal recognition of its occupied territory in Ukraine remains a major sticking point in US-led negotiations aimed at ending the nearly four-year conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday.
Zelenskyy addressed Sweden's parliament, where he emphasized that Russia's desire for territorial recognition is a "main problem" that must be resolved if a peace deal is to be reached. The Ukrainian leader warned that this issue would have far-reaching consequences for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are fundamental principles of international law.
The US proposal, which includes 28 points, has been met with skepticism by some European allies due to its perceived favorability towards Russia. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about the progress made during weekend talks in Geneva, saying that "very, very meaningful" breakthroughs were achieved, but that there is still work to be done.
Rubio cautioned against declaring victory or finality, emphasizing that the issues remaining unsettled are not insurmountable. The White House confirmed that updated and refined peace framework was drafted following US-Ukraine discussions, but Russia's government expressed skepticism about sharing these changes, reserving judgment until further information is available.
The Kremlin also weighed in on Monday, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that Moscow will wait to see the official text of any revised proposal before making a decision. Putin warned that if Ukraine rejects the plan, Russian forces would continue their aggressive actions, seizing more ground.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Olga Stefanishyna reiterated her country's concerns about the draft plan, saying it prioritizes ending the war over justice and truth about Russia's aggression. The 28-point proposal has sparked controversy, with many questioning its balance between competing interests and whether it adequately addresses Ukraine's core concerns.
As the negotiations continue, tensions remain high, and the prospects for a deal appear increasingly uncertain. The fate of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity hangs in the balance, as the international community struggles to find a path forward that satisfies all parties involved.
Zelenskyy addressed Sweden's parliament, where he emphasized that Russia's desire for territorial recognition is a "main problem" that must be resolved if a peace deal is to be reached. The Ukrainian leader warned that this issue would have far-reaching consequences for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are fundamental principles of international law.
The US proposal, which includes 28 points, has been met with skepticism by some European allies due to its perceived favorability towards Russia. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about the progress made during weekend talks in Geneva, saying that "very, very meaningful" breakthroughs were achieved, but that there is still work to be done.
Rubio cautioned against declaring victory or finality, emphasizing that the issues remaining unsettled are not insurmountable. The White House confirmed that updated and refined peace framework was drafted following US-Ukraine discussions, but Russia's government expressed skepticism about sharing these changes, reserving judgment until further information is available.
The Kremlin also weighed in on Monday, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that Moscow will wait to see the official text of any revised proposal before making a decision. Putin warned that if Ukraine rejects the plan, Russian forces would continue their aggressive actions, seizing more ground.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Olga Stefanishyna reiterated her country's concerns about the draft plan, saying it prioritizes ending the war over justice and truth about Russia's aggression. The 28-point proposal has sparked controversy, with many questioning its balance between competing interests and whether it adequately addresses Ukraine's core concerns.
As the negotiations continue, tensions remain high, and the prospects for a deal appear increasingly uncertain. The fate of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity hangs in the balance, as the international community struggles to find a path forward that satisfies all parties involved.
this is getting so frustrating!! can't believe they're still trying to legitimize russia's invasion 
how can you even justify that? 
and now zelenskyy says it's a major sticking point in negotiations lol like, what a understatement 
Putin just threatened more violence if ukraine doesn't go along with his plan? 
does he not understand the consequences of war? 
anyway, i'm so tired of hearing about progress and breakthroughs... can we please focus on actual solutions instead of just words? 
I can feel how worried and frustrated you must be about this situation. It's like, Russia's actions are really hurting Ukraine and its people, and it feels like no one is doing enough to stop them 
. I hope Marco Rubio and the US team can find a way to make this work, but it's hard not to feel skeptical when there's so much at stake 
. It's like, Ukraine has been through so much already, and they deserve better 
. Keep holding on to hope, though - we're all rooting for you, Ukraine 
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. It would be like, so not fair to Ukraine at all 
. And the fact that some European allies are skeptical of the US proposal because it seems too friendly towards Russia is super valid 
It's not just about Ukraine, it's about international law and what it means for other countries to respect each other's sovereignty 
. This conflict has been going on for so long, and it feels like we're no closer to a solution 
. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that something good comes out of these negotiations 
.
. The fact that US-led negotiations are struggling to find common ground on this issue highlights just how complex and emotive the conflict has become 
. Still, I suppose that's what makes these negotiations so fascinating - the constant push-pull between competing interests and values 
.
I'm really worried about this conflict in Ukraine... it's like they're playing with fire 
. If Russia gets recognition for its occupied territory, it'll be a huge blow to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity 
. I hope they can find a balance that works for everyone, but it's getting increasingly uncertain 
.
. That would be devastating for Ukraine and the whole region. We need to find a way to balance everyone's interests here, but it's not easy 
. The international community needs to step up and support Ukraine in this situation. It's time for us to put our money where our mouth is 
. Maybe a middle ground can be found?