The United States has continued to insist in talks on a potential agreement to end the Russo-Ukrainian war that Ukraine should agree to withdraw from Donetsk Oblast without a fight.

Source: Politico, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Politico citing a European official said that the US is still pressing Ukraine to accept a demand to hand over to Russian control the rest of Donetsk Oblast that is not yet under occupation.

Quote: "On the territory issue, Americans are simple: Russia demands Ukraine to give up territories, and Americans keep thinking how to make it happen… The Americans insist that Ukraine must leave the Donbas … one way or another."

More details: Ukraine continues to insist that any potential "freeze" should take place along the current front line. Ukrainian negotiators are trying to convey to the US that if Ukraine gives Kremlin leader Putin what the Russian forces have failed to seize over years of war despite heavy losses, it will only whet his appetite.

Ukraine feels pressure over the speed at which the US wants to move, echoing comments from an unnamed Ukrainian source cited by AFP that Ukraine is facing significant US pressure to strike a peace deal with Russia.

Quote: "Maybe Trump also wants it to happen fast, so his team is forced to explain to him they are not the ones to blame for why this is not happening as fast as he wanted it to happen. Therefore, it is important how America will behave, as a mediator or will it lean toward the Russians?"

More details: The source also added that the Ukrainian side is also expecting greater clarity on what security guarantees the US is prepared to offer.

Background:

• Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said earlier that differences as to the proposed "peace plan" remain among the parties regarding territorial issues and security guarantees, including the future of Donetsk Oblast.
• Politico has reported earlier European leaders still hold out hope that US President Donald Trump will return to his earlier view that Russia is responsible for the ongoing war in Ukraine, but they are also preparing for the worst-case scenario, in which the United States "forgives" Russia and leaves Ukraine with no assistance.
• A meeting in London involving the leaders of the UK, France, Germany and the president of Ukraine is currently ongoing.

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