Zelensky is being pressured to accept serious territorial concessions as part of President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan, says the report, citing Ukrainian officials.
Tensions reportedly rose after US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner held a five-hour meeting in Moscow with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, followed by two days of talks with Zelensky’s team and a two-hour call with Zelensky himself on Saturday.
The US expected Zelensky to give an immediate approval during the call.
A degree of progress was reportedly made, but there were no breakthroughs on issues like territory or security guarantees.
Key Sticking Points
Russia insists on a full Ukrainian withdrawal from the entire Donbass region
Ukraine is angling for enforceable security guarantees from the US
The latest proposal still lacks a Senate-ratified security treaty
Furthermore, the US is trying to “peel” Zelensky away from the European hawks so they can “pressure him more effectively,” says the publication, adding that some in the White House see the Europeans as “a major obstacle to a deal.”