#ukraine-peace-talks

#ukraine-peace-talks

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said they "agreed that this was a critical moment - for Ukraine, its people and for shared security across the Euro-Atlantic region". A White House official confirmed the call took place on Wednesday but did not give details. It comes the day after Trump called European leaders "weak", suggesting the US could scale back support for Ukraine. In the wide-ranging Politico interview published on Tuesday, Trump also claimed Ukraine was "using war" to avoid holding elections, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to reply he was "ready" for them.

The path ahead for Ukraine peace talks is unclear, Donald Trump has said, after what he called reasonably good talks between Russian president Vladimir Putin and US envoys which nonetheless failed to achieve a breakthrough After their hours-long meeting at the Kremlin on Tuesday, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, were set to meet top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov in Florida on Thursday.

Well, Ukraine would have had to limit the size of its army, but not Russia. Ukraine would have to give up territory with cities full of Ukrainians in the east that it's been fighting and defending these last four years while Russia has been unable to take them. Ukraine would be banned from ever joining NATO, whereas Russia would have sanctions lifted and joined the G8.

President Trump had set a deadline of Thursday for Ukraine to accept a deal to give up territory to Russia, including territory that Russia has not captured on the battlefield in almost four years of war. But now that deadline seems to be shifting and the terms of the deal changing. The White House says there's been, quote, 'tremendous progress' in talks this week, but more negotiations are needed.

Witkoff said he believed the land concessions were necessary all while advising Ushakov to congratulate Trump and frame discussions more optimistically. Now, me to you, I know what it's going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere, Witkoff told Ushakov during the five-minute conversation, according to Bloomberg's transcript. But I'm saying instead of talking like that, let's talk more hopefully because I think we're going to get to a deal here.

A statement released on November 23 by the White House said the "talks were constructive, focused, and respectful, underscoring the shared commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace." "They reaffirmed that any future agreement must fully uphold Ukraine's sovereignty and deliver a sustainable and just peace. As a result of the discussions, the parties drafted an updated and refined peace framework," it added without being specific.

(Indian Prime Minister's Office/AP photo) Vladimir Putin appeared to be ignore Donald Trump's Monday deadline to hold peace talks with Ukraine, as the Russian president was spotted spending the day forging closer ties with the leaders of China and India instead. Putin is in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathering in the port city of Tianjin, where discussions focused on regional stability, bilateral trade and energy cooperation, the Associated Press reported.

(Sipa via AP Images) French President Emmanuel Macron warned Friday that Donald Trump would once again get played by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump gave Putin a deadline of Monday to agree to bilateral talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over ending the war between the two nations, but the Kremlin has given no indication that things are moving in that direction. Trump has threatened consequences if the meeting doesn't happen, but Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed their doubts.

European leaders seem relieved their intense efforts to get Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a seat at the table where decisions about his country's future were being made have paid off. But the most difficult diplomacy now lies ahead. Among the more practical issues: Where could talks between Zelenskyy and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin actually take place? Berlin: 'Good venues in Europe' German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told DW on Wednesday there are "many good venues in Europe" for negotiations.