Zelenskyy Describes US-Ukrainian Peace Plan as "Looking Better" Amid Complex Territorial Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that the developing peace plan under negotiation with the United States is showing signs of improvement, describing it as "looking better." Despite this progress, he emphasized that the most formidable obstacle remains the question of Ukraine's territorial integrity.

During a joint press conference in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelenskyy shed light on the demanding nature of the discussions. He disclosed that Ukrainian and American negotiators dedicated over six hours solely to deliberating "individual points" concerning the territorial issues, reflecting the complexity of the negotiations.

The Ukrainian leader underscored that while territorial matters pose the greatest difficulty, other significant challenges include securing essential funding for Ukraine's reconstruction in the absence of European partners, as well as obtaining definitive security guarantees from both the United States and Europe. He stressed the importance of addressing these concerns thoughtfully.

Zelenskyy confirmed that dialogue with Washington continues, noting that the US has communicated its perspective to Ukrainian officials and plans to convey the same to Moscow. He expects a comprehensive update on the negotiation status from his delegation, which is scheduled to travel to Ireland.

Separately, responding to rumors about a potential leadership reshuffle following Andriy Yermak's resignation from the presidential office, Zelenskyy stated that he will conduct consultations upon his return to Kyiv. He added that the choice for the next chief of staff will be guided by multiple considerations, including the necessity for management to enhance diplomatic efforts.