From 28 to 19 provisions… “Completely revised agreement”
‘Sensitive issues’ such as territorial issues, in the hands of the leaders of the US and Ukraine
Russia’s reaction ‘unknown’… US-Russian delegation begins negotiations
(From left) Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. AFP Yonhap News
There have been reports that the United States and Ukraine have significantly revised the draft of the Russia-Ukraine peace agreement originally prepared by the United States and Russia and drafted a new peace agreement with 19 articles. U.S. President Donald Trump is optimistic about reaching a peace agreement, but analysis suggests that the more Ukraine’s interests are reflected in the agreement, the more likely Russia will be to oppose it, so there are still obstacles to overcome before reaching an actual agreement.
According to the Financial Times (FT) and Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 24th (local time), the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations discussed the draft peace agreement at a meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland the previous day and revised the existing 28 articles to 19. First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Serhiy Kislytsa, who attended the meeting, told the FT, “We have come up with a completely revised agreement that both sides can view positively,” adding, “There is almost nothing left over from the existing draft.”
It is reported that this coordinated agreement reflects some of the red lines that Ukraine and the European Union (EU) have emphasized. According to WSJ, the upper limit on the size of the Ukrainian military, which was set at 600,000 in the draft, was discussed to increase it to 800,000 as proposed by the EU, and to relax language regarding the clause restricting further expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). However, it is reported that the final agreement was not reached.
The most acute issues, such as the issue of transferring Ukraine’s territory to Russia and relations with NATO, were postponed to the agenda of negotiations between the leaders. Kislych said these issues were “bracketed” for President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to decide. President Zelensky said of the revised agreement, “It is truly the right approach,” and added, “We will discuss sensitive issues with President Trump.”
The Trump administration also appears to be positively evaluating the recently negotiated agreement. White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt said in a Fox News interview that day, “There are only a few differences that the teams on both sides (the United States and Ukraine) are trying to resolve,” and “President Trump remains hopeful and optimistic that an agreement can be reached.” However, he added that a meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy has not yet been scheduled.
On the 25th (local time), missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) sent by Russia explode over the skies of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. Reuters Yonhap News
Contrary to the Trump administration’s wishes, there are observations that Russia may not readily accept the revised terms of the war. WSJ pointed out, “What makes the problem more complicated is that the more the U.S. plan tries to allay Ukraine’s concerns, the less likely it is that Russia will accept it.” As Russian President Vladimir Putin evaluated the draft peace agreement on the 22nd as being able to serve as a ‘foundation for an agreement,’ negotiations could be at a standstill again regarding this agreement, which reflects Ukraine’s position.
Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, who had attended the meeting with Ukraine the previous day as part of the U.S. delegation, met with the Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and began negotiations on a peace plan to end the war. Politico, a political media outlet, reported that General Driscoll plans to deliver the revised peace agreement between the United States and Ukraine to Russia on this day.
Even as peace negotiations to end the war were underway, Russia continued its drone strikes against Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. CNN and other sources reported that at least two people were killed and nine others were injured in Kiiu due to Russian drone and missile attacks that continued that night.
