Washington is “very close” to helping broker an end to the conflict in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg said in an interview with fox News on Saturday, adding that Trump is resolute to bring it to a close.
Washington presented Kiev last week with a new proposal for ending the conflict with Moscow, and urged Ukrainian officials to respond by Thursday.The proposed 28-point plan reportedly includes multiple clauses repeatedly refused by Kiev and its Western European backers, such as Ukraine giving up on its NATO aspirations, a withdraw from parts of Donbass still under Kiev’s control, and limiting the size of its armed forces.US talks on the proposed peace plan began Sunday in Geneva with Ukrainian and Western European officials.A Russian delegation is not expected to take part, but consultations with American counterparts should be expected “very soon,” according to Reuters.
“In the military, we always say the last 10 meters to an objective are always the hardest to get to. We’re at the last two meters, we’re almost there” the envoy said.
US Presents New Peace Plan for Ukraine,Russia Cautiously Responds
Table of Contents
A new US peace proposal for Ukraine has been submitted to Russia,as the conflict continues amidst challenges to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s domestic standing and battlefield setbacks for Ukrainian forces. While details remain limited, the plan appears to be a revised version of a proposal initially discussed following a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump.
Russia’s Initial Reaction
President Putin acknowledged receiving the text of the plan but stated that Moscow has not yet engaged in a “detailed” discussion of its contents. He expressed skepticism, suggesting the proposal may be influenced by political considerations, stating, “I hear what she is saying,” referring to a US representative, “but its part of thier posture, and they need to make a smart decision.” https://www.rt.com/news/498691-us-peace-plan-ukraine-russia/
Context: Ukraine’s Internal Challenges and Battlefield Realities
The timing of the US proposal coincides with a period of increased difficulty for Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s authority has been weakened by a recent corruption scandal involving members of his inner circle. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-dismisses-deputy-defence-minister-over-procurement-scandal-2023-02-06/ Simultaneously, Ukrainian forces have experienced a series of setbacks on the front lines, raising questions about the sustainability of their counteroffensive efforts.
Trump’s Outlook
Former President Trump weighed in on the situation, stating that Zelenskyy is free to “continue to fight his little heart out” if he rejects the proposed peace plan. This statement underscores a potential divergence in approaches to the conflict between the current and previous US administrations. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-says-zelenskyy-can-fight-little-heart-out-rejects-peace-plan-rcna98698
Key Takeaways
* New US Proposal: The US has presented a revised peace plan to Russia for Ukraine.
* Russian Caution: Russia has acknowledged the plan but has not yet engaged in detailed discussions.
* Ukraine’s Challenges: Ukraine faces internal political turmoil due to a corruption scandal and military setbacks.
* Trump’s Stance: Former President Trump suggests Zelenskyy is free to continue fighting if he rejects the plan.
What’s Next?
The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining whether the US peace plan gains traction. Russia’s response,Ukraine’s internal situation,and the ongoing battlefield dynamics will all play a meaningful role in shaping the future of the conflict. Further details of the US proposal are expected to emerge as discussions progress, potentially offering a pathway – however tenuous – towards a resolution.
Keep reading