Kiev (dpa-AfX)-According to US President Donald Trump, a possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine is not far away. “They are about to reach an agreement, and the two sides should now meet on a very high level to” finish “,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform at night. The “most important points” agree, Trump said. The Republican called for an immediate end of the “bloodshed”.
It was a day with “good conversations” with Russia and Ukraine, said Trump. The US special envoy Steve Witkoff had again in Moscow with Kremlin chief on Friday Vladimir Putin met.
The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj meanwhile announced in his evening video message that not named meetings that are supposed to lead to a ceasefire. “Very important meetings will take place in the coming days – meet that should bring us closer to Ukraine,” said Selenskyj.
Report speculates on area abductions
According to a media report, Kiev worked a counter-proposal to the US plans for the end of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, which leaves space for possible compromises. In the plan that is available to the “New York Times”, for example, it is not mentioned that Ukraine fully retains the entire territory confiscated by Russia. Also, according to the newspaper, Ukraine’s accession will not be found. These are two points that were previously considered not negotiable by the Ukrainian side.
Selenskyj previously reacted with clear words to a statement by Trump on Russian demands on the Black Sea Peninsula Crimea. “Our position is unchanged: only the Ukrainian people have the right to decide which territories are Ukrainian,” said the head of state journalists in Kiev, as the agency Interfax-Ukraine reported. According to the Ukrainian constitution, the areas occupied by Russia continue to belong to Ukraine and there will be no legal recognition of Russian sovereignty.
Trump had said in an interview with the “Time Magazine”: “The Crimea will stay with Russia”. The peninsula was annexed by Moscow in 2014. According to media reports, Ukrainian regional detections on Russia are the subject of ongoing discussions between Moscow and Washington.
Selenskyj confessed at the same time: “Ukraine does not have enough weapons to get control of the Crimea peninsula with weapons.” But there are opportunities to achieve this using sanctions as well as economic and diplomatic pressure.
Kyiv pulls red lines
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs agreed with the head of state and defined further fundamental positions. Kyiv will never accept any limitation of the armed forces, armaments capacities or foreign military aids. “And thirdly, no third country has a veto law in choosing alliances or alliances for Ukraine,” emphasized Foreign Office spokesman Horhyj Tychyj.
According to the “New York Times”, the Ukrainian plan is now said: “Ukraine’s joining NATO depends on the consensus between the members of the alliance,” writes the newspaper. Russia vehemently rejects NATO membership of Ukraine.
According to the “New York Times”, Kiev continues to provide that there are no restrictions on the size of the Ukrainian military. In addition, a “European security quota” supported by the USA should be stationed on Ukrainian territory. Frozen Russian assets are to be used to remedy war damage in Ukraine.
Selenskyj continues to urge the USA security guarantees
Despite several opposite statements from Washington, Selenskyj continues to expect US security guarantees for his country. “We absolutely want them to be strong, at least as strong as the Israeli,” said the head of state, according to Interfax-Ukraine, journalists in Kiev. He also pushed for the delivery of other “Patriot” air defense systems from US production.
Selenskyj also expects a military presence of the European allies. The “infrastructure” of the security guarantees is being used. “Even where there are European troops, we speak about backing through the United States of America,” emphasized Selenskyj. He discussed with US President Trump that this backing did not necessarily require US troops in Ukraine. A cooperation between the secret services, defense against cyber attacks and air defense was discussed.
Kiev is committed to western security guarantees before a possible peace conclusion in order to keep Russia from further attacks. Moscow rejects the presence of western troops in the neighboring country.
Selenskyj’s participation in the Pope burial uncertain
The Ukrainian President indicated that the funeral for the late Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday due to consultations with military leadership. “If I can’t make it, the Ukraine will be represented worthy.
Numerous state guests from all over the world are expected at the funeral service on St. Peter’s Square, including the US President, who had not excluded a meeting with Selenskyj there. At the end of February there was a scandal in a conversation by Trump, JD Vance and Selenskyj in Washington.
In the night of Thursday, the Russian military had a massive attack from the air against Ukraine. In the capital Kyiv, at least twelve people died in the combined Russian rocket and drone attack. With regard to a possible cancellation of the Rome trip, Selenskyj said: “As far as I am concerned, it was important for me to be here.”
Attacks on Ukrainian cities continue
The attacks on Ukraine continued on Friday and on Saturday night. A nine -story house in the city of Kamjanske in the Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk was hit in a drone attack – three injuries were the result, including a child, such as the military governor of the region, Serhij Lyssak, on Telegram. “Burning apartments,” continued Lyssak.
Previously, on Friday evening there was also an attack on the city of Nikopol, which was located near the front line. A 46-year-old man died. There were air alarm in the evening and at night in several regions of the country, including in the Kiev Oblast. Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian attack war for more than three years