Volodymyr Zelensky is trying to get out of the corner into which Donald Trump has relegated him, who accused him of a “disappointing” approach to negotiations, and is seeking the support of European leaders for mediation with the White House.
“Unity” between allies “is fundamental”, underlined the Ukrainian leader as he met Keir Starmer, Friedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron in London, before flying to Brussels to see the NATO and EU summits and then to Rome to see Giorgia Meloni.
“The main problem is convergence with the USA”, noted the resident of the Elysée, in a meeting which served to continue the “common work” to modify the American plan, in view of new contacts with Washington. While Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the need to use Russian assets “to increase the cost of the war for Moscow”. As for the main issues of the negotiations, they remain the same: the future status of Donbass and security guarantees for Kiev.
In the evening it became known that Zelensky will meet Pope Leo today, Tuesday 9 December, at Castel Gandolfo. The meeting is scheduled at Villa Barberini at 9.30.
The day for the Ukrainian president opened with a new thrust from Trump: “We are talking with Putin and with the Ukrainian leaders, including Zelensky. I must say that I am a little disappointed that he hasn’t read the proposal yet. I think Russia agrees, I’m not sure that Zelensky agrees, he likes it”, said the tycoon, with the Ukrainian leader justifying himself as follows: I feared wiretaps, I preferred that Umerov talk to me about it person.
The dead end in which Kiev finds itself is summarized by a Ukrainian source: “Putin does not want to conclude an agreement without territory, so they are looking for any option to ensure that Ukraine cede territory” and “the Americans are putting pressure” in this direction. On Donbass “there are visions of the United States, Russia and Ukraine and we do not have a unitary vision”, admitted Zelensky, reiterating that Kiev has no “legal or moral rights” to cede territories. And regarding security guarantees, his position is oriented towards a mutual defense mechanism along the lines of Article 5 of NATO.
In Downing Street the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom rallied around their ally. “There is no pressure” for him to accept the US plan as it is, Starmer assured, while Merz expressed “skepticism” about some American proposals. Europe “has many cards in its hand”, the words of Macron, who underlined the impact of sanctions on the Russian economy. Elysée sources then made it known that the four-party meeting made it possible to “continue joint work on the American plan, in order to integrate it with European contributions, in coordination” with Kiev. “In preparation for discussions between Europeans, Americans and Ukrainians in the coming days.” Zelensky spoke of “small progress towards peace”.