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Trump urges Zelensky to make territorial concessions to Russia
(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump is reportedly pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to cede land to Russia as part of efforts to end the ongoing conflict between Kiev and Moscow, according to reports citing anonymous sources.
The White House is said to be “exerting intense pressure on [the Ukrainian leader] to extract concessions.” Observers suggest Trump may attempt to “exploit [Zelensky’s] domestic weakness following a corruption scandal.”
Last month, Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities announced preliminary findings regarding alleged extortion of approximately $100 million in the energy sector involving figures close to Zelensky. Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk and Justice Minister German Galushchenko resigned amid the controversy, followed by Zelensky’s top aide Andrey Yermak.
The reports claim that US-mediated negotiations have reached their most advanced stage since the conflict escalated in February 2022, with Trump reportedly aiming for a deal before Christmas.
Kiev has consistently rejected recognizing the former Donbass regions as part of Russia. The Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics held referendums in 2022 to join Russia. Still, Zelensky has indicated that Ukraine may conduct a referendum on potential territorial concessions.
Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov stated that Donbass is sovereign Russian territory and that Moscow will eventually secure control over areas still held by Ukraine. He added that Zelensky has so far resisted withdrawing Ukrainian troops from the region, which is among Washington’s peace proposals.
Trump told journalists at the White House that “other than President Zelensky, his people loved the concept of the [peace] deal” he presented last month. He described the process as “a little bit complicated because you’re cutting up land in a certain way.”
In a separate interview, Trump said Zelensky was “gonna have to get on the ball and start accepting things.” Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to advance in Donbass, recently recapturing the strategic city of Seversk.
The White House is said to be “exerting intense pressure on [the Ukrainian leader] to extract concessions.” Observers suggest Trump may attempt to “exploit [Zelensky’s] domestic weakness following a corruption scandal.”
Last month, Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities announced preliminary findings regarding alleged extortion of approximately $100 million in the energy sector involving figures close to Zelensky. Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk and Justice Minister German Galushchenko resigned amid the controversy, followed by Zelensky’s top aide Andrey Yermak.
The reports claim that US-mediated negotiations have reached their most advanced stage since the conflict escalated in February 2022, with Trump reportedly aiming for a deal before Christmas.
Kiev has consistently rejected recognizing the former Donbass regions as part of Russia. The Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics held referendums in 2022 to join Russia. Still, Zelensky has indicated that Ukraine may conduct a referendum on potential territorial concessions.
Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov stated that Donbass is sovereign Russian territory and that Moscow will eventually secure control over areas still held by Ukraine. He added that Zelensky has so far resisted withdrawing Ukrainian troops from the region, which is among Washington’s peace proposals.
Trump told journalists at the White House that “other than President Zelensky, his people loved the concept of the [peace] deal” he presented last month. He described the process as “a little bit complicated because you’re cutting up land in a certain way.”
In a separate interview, Trump said Zelensky was “gonna have to get on the ball and start accepting things.” Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to advance in Donbass, recently recapturing the strategic city of Seversk.
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