Dramatic developments are unfolding in Ukraine, in the shadow of the talks and with the Ukrainian front retreating, as new fire is sparked by the statements of the Ukrainian Commander in Chief Alexander Syrskyi. Kiev will continue the war without the help of the United States, relying on the support of Europe, said the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Alexander Syrskyi, in an interview with Sky News. When asked by a journalist whether Ukraine can continue hostilities if US President Donald Trump stops his support, Syrskyi expressed hope that this will not happen but made clear that Europe must be ready to replace the US. “We hope that they will continue to provide full support. But we also hope that our European partners and allies, if necessary, will be ready to provide whatever is needed for our just war against the aggressor,” he said. It is reminded that in the same interview Syrskyi said that it is unacceptable for Ukraine to cede territory as part of any peace agreement with Russia. Earlier, Western media reported that the US may stop all military support to Ukraine, including weapons supplies, even paid ones, and intelligence, if Kiev refuses to accept the terms of the peace plan proposed by Washington, including the withdrawal of troops from the Donetsk region.
USA: Further peaceful resolution depends on Russia
The US Department of State, after the negotiations between the US and Ukrainian delegations, stated that further peaceful resolution depends on Russia, as noted on the ministry’s website. “Both sides agreed that real progress in achieving any agreement depends on Russia’s willingness to demonstrate serious commitment to lasting peace, including steps toward de escalation and ending the killings,” the statement said. A similar statement was published by the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Rustem Umerov, after Friday’s meeting with US special envoys Stephen Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff and Kushner did not make such statements, while Secretary of State Rubio was not present at the meeting. If the State Department statement means that further progress in negotiations depends on Russia, the fact that all disputed points have already been agreed with Ukraine in the peace plan of US President Donald Trump, including the withdrawal of the AFU from the Donetsk region, is not clarified in the official reports of either the American or the Ukrainian side. At the same time, it essentially confirmed that Russia demands the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass, a fact that confirms that the war will continue until Russia achieves the goals of its special military operation.
United States and Ukraine agreed on “security frameworks” for ending the war
Negotiators from the White House and Ukraine agreed on “security frameworks” and discussed “deterrence capabilities” aiming at ending the war with Russia. This is reported by Bloomberg, citing an official message from the United States after the meeting. “The participants discussed the results of the recent meeting of the American side with the Russians and the steps that could lead to ending this war. The Americans and Ukrainians also agreed on the structure of security measures and discussed the necessary deterrence capabilities for maintaining lasting peace,” the agency reports. However, Bloomberg notes “little indication of serious progress that could give new momentum to negotiations”. It is expected that the US and Ukrainian negotiating teams will meet again on Saturday for further discussions. We remind that the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sibiga, during the Ukraine NATO Council meeting, stated that Kiev will not accept “questionable security guarantees” and demands for unilateral troop withdrawal during the drafting of a peace agreement. At the same time, Western media report that Rubio is trying to distance himself from the Ukraine issue and focus on the Venezuela issue.
Daily Mail Exclusive: Rubio tries to distance himself from Ukraine and focus on Venezuela
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is distancing himself from the Ukraine issue to focus on the Venezuela issue, the British newspaper Daily Mail writes in an exclusive report, citing sources. This is why the Secretary of State is absent from the talks of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, where the situation in Ukraine was discussed. “Since 1999, the US Secretary of State has missed a meeting of NATO government ministers, leaving allies embarrassed,” the article reports. According to the newspaper, Rubio “has plunged into another geopolitical theater, Venezuela”. An American diplomat familiar with the discussions at the State Department told the outlet that Rubio’s focus on Venezuela is not only political but also a power struggle. “Rubio’s main priority is his Latin American agenda, he must satisfy the wealthy Venezuelans in Florida, who are useful for his political future.
”He considers Ukraine a lost cause in the MAGA world,” the diplomat said.
At the same time, he believes that Rubio does not trust Vladimir Putin and understands that the Russian leader is playing with US President Donald Trump. Therefore, “to appear now at the same table with all his European counterparts would mean the risk of appearing publicly opposed to special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner,” the source said, commenting on the Secretary of State’s absence from the meeting at NATO. It is noted that Rubio’s influence in Kiev was of great importance in neutralizing the ideas of the “pro Russian Witkoff”. It is reminded that recently Rubio essentially confirmed that Russia demands the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass. The US Secretary of State also stated that the negotiations between Kiev and Washington in Florida for coordinating a plan to end the war in Ukraine concluded without final agreements on the disputed issues.
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