The World Before May 15: Why the USA and Trump Want to Conclude Ukraine Negotiations
Discussions about possible presidential elections in Ukraine and peace negotiations are gaining new details. President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply denied information about plans to announce elections by June, referring to February 24.
“I am hearing for the first time about the intention to announce a plan for elections by, therefore, June, and it concerns February 24,” he stated.At the same time, a member of the Ukrainian delegation, David Arakhamia, reported that the American side has expressed a desire to conclude peace negotiations by May 15.
These deadlines align with the existing American plan-schedule, which, according to sources, is supported by former US President Donald Trump and envisions the process concluding by the end of May. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the Russian side has not received an official Trump plan due to the lack of an agreed document between Ukraine, Europe, and the USA. According to him, without such a document, real negotiations have not yet begun.
Key Issues in the Negotiations
A third stage of negotiations is planned, the location of which the parties have not agreed upon: Ukraine considers the USA, while Russia denies this information. Zelensky also noted:
“Neither in Minsk nor in Moscow will the meeting take place.”
Among the key strategic issues that remain unresolved are:
- security guarantees
- territorial control
- recognition
Conditions for a ceasefire are also being discussed, including the possible withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from part of the Donetsk region, which is seen as a technical step to stop the fire. Simultaneously, a decree by Zelensky about the development by Ukraine of a draft treaty on security guarantees has emerged, accompanied by statements about the readiness of such a document for signing.