US President Donald Trump said that a deal was closer than ever to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but reported no apparent breakthrough on the flashpoint issue of territory after new talks with the warring countries’ leaders.
Trump, who had promised a peace deal on day one of his nearly year-old presidency, said it would become clear within weeks whether it was possible to solve the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people.
After their talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump spoke jointly by telephone with key European leaders, who have been particularly alarmed about any decisions that would embolden Russia.
Trump acknowledged continued disagreement between Kyiv and Moscow on territory. The current plan, revised after weeks of intense US-Ukrainian negotiations, would stop the war at the current frontlines in the eastern Donbas region and set up a demilitarized area, while Russia has long demanded territorial concessions.
“It’s unresolved, but it’s getting a lot closer. That’s a very tough issue, but one that I think will get resolved,” Trump said.
Trump offered to address the Ukrainian parliament to promote the plan — an idea, however unlikely, that Zelensky quickly welcomed.
The Kremlin in its readout of talks between Putin and Trump called on Kyiv to make a “bold and responsible decision” and immediately withdraw troops from Donbas and cast European leaders as the impediment to Trump.
French President Emmanuel Macron also announced a new meeting of Kyiv’s allies in early January in Paris. (AFP)
