Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans this week to seek renewed dialogue with U.S. President Donald Trump, aiming to secure long-term security guarantees for Kyiv as peace negotiations with Russia face critical hurdles. The discussions, currently underway in Paris, focus on resolving territorial disputes in the Donetsk region and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Sticking Points in Negotiations
Kyiv remains firm in rejecting demands to cede parts of Donetsk, where Ukrainian forces retain control despite Russian occupation of surrounding areas. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for legally binding security commitments from Western allies, including a proposed 15-year U.S.-backed guarantee tied to any ceasefire agreement. “They have the tools, and they know how to use them,” he stated, urging increased pressure on Moscow.
Path Forward for Regional Stability
Recent talks have seen preliminary agreements on multinational troop deployments to monitor ceasefires, though Zelenskyy stressed that political declarations must evolve into ratified parliamentary commitments. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff acknowledged ongoing discussions about “land options” and economic incentives for potential territorial compromises, signaling cautious optimism for progress.
