We are asked for concessions, not Moscow.. Zelensky returns to criticize Trump's administration

SadaNews - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized what he described as the repeated American focus on demanding his country make concessions in negotiations with Russia, expressing hope that the upcoming Geneva talks will be "serious and objective".

In a speech delivered on Saturday during the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky stated that his country is often asked to make concessions, explaining: "Americans frequently return to the issue of concessions, and it is often discussed only in the context of Ukraine, not Russia."

The Ukrainian president called for hearing the concessions that Moscow is willing to offer, stressing that Kyiv has already "given a lot".

He pointed out that there is some pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently urged him not to miss the "opportunity" for peace, asserting that Trump has the ability to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease fire, which Kyiv considers a necessary condition for holding a public referendum on any peace agreement concurrently with the general elections.

Geneva Talks

The Ukrainian, Russian, and American delegations are scheduled to meet in Geneva on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Saturday evening, the Ukrainian president announced that he had spoken by phone with U.S. envoys Steve Wittkof and Jared Kushner ahead of the new round of negotiations.

Zelensky stated on social media, "I had a conversation with President Trump's envoys, Steve Wittkof and Jared Kushner, before the trilateral meetings in Geneva. We look forward to fruitful discussions."

Zelensky accused Moscow of attempting to delay decisions by significantly changing its negotiators, appointing Putin's advisor Vladimir Medinsky as the successor to military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov.

Zelensky described this change as a "surprise" indicating a desire to procrastinate, while Ukrainian officials criticized Medinsky's approach, stating that he "teaches history lessons" instead of engaging in substantive negotiations.

Land Stalemate

Territory remains a central point of contention, as Russia insists that Ukraine cede the remaining 20% of the eastern Donetsk region that Moscow has failed to control, a demand strongly rejected by Kyiv.

Zelensky mentioned that American negotiators conveyed a Russian promise to end the war quickly if Ukrainian forces immediately withdrew from the part still under their control in Donetsk.

In exchange, Zelensky stated that he is willing to discuss an American proposal to establish a free trade zone in that area, while freezing the remaining frontline that stretches for about 1,200 kilometers.

Senior Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov, who sat alongside Zelensky during the press conference, explained that the two options on the table are either adhering to the current lines of control or establishing a free economic zone as proposed.

European Marginalization

Zelensky criticized the lack of an active European role, stating that "Europe is practically absent from the negotiating table, and that is a great mistake."

He called for more sanctions and arms supplies to pressure Putin, warning that Moscow opposes deploying French and British forces in Ukraine after the war because Putin "wants the opportunity to return."

On the ground, analysts say that Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and parts of Donbas.

Estimates suggest that it has seized about an additional 1.5% since the beginning of 2024, while recent Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure have deprived hundreds of thousands of electricity and heating during a severe winter, amid estimates of around 7,000 Ukrainian soldiers held captive by Russia compared to more than 4,000 Russian soldiers held by Kyiv.

Source: AFP + Reuters