The Trump administration has told Ukraine that U.S. security guarantees depend on Kyiv’s agreement to a peace deal likely requiring it to cede the Donbas region to Russia, according to a report by the Financial Times (FT).
The U.S. also indicated that it would offer Ukraine more weapons to strengthen its peacetime army on the condition that it withdraw its forces from the parts of the eastern regions that are under U.S. control.
Reuters was unable to immediately verify this, as the White House did not respond to the request for a comment.
Security Guaranteed?
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking to journalists on Sunday, stated that a U.S. security guarantees document for Ukraine is “100% ready.” Representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. met for two-day talks; however, a signing date is yet to be set, waiting on ratification from the Ukrainian Parliament and the U.S. Congress.
Zelenskyy has emphasised repeatedly that it is crucial that Ukraine’s territorial integrity be maintained in any peace deal. Speaking to FT, a Ukrainian official said that Kyiv is now uncertain if Washington will commit to these security guarantees. The U.S. “stops each time the security guarantees can be signed,” he explained.
Peace Deal Mandatory
While Kyiv wants the documents ratified and the guarantees confirmed before they cede territory, the U.S. believes that Ukraine must give up Donbas for the war to end. They have refrained from pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin to drop the demand, the report stated.
“This is totally false — the US’s only role in the peacemaking process is to bring both sides together to make a deal,” Anna Kelly, the deputy White House press secretary, told FT.
A source familiar with Washington’s position told FT that the U.S. is “not trying to force any territorial concessions upon Ukraine,” adding that security guarantees are dependent on both countries agreeing to a peace deal.
According to TASS, the Kremlin has said the question of territory is fundamental to any deal to end the fighting in Ukraine.
(With inputs from Reuters)
