Zelensky Agrees to Core Terms of Peace Deal; Sensitive Issues Still Await Face-to-Face Talks with Trump | WPN World People News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the 25th held a virtual meeting with the 35 member countries of the “Coalition of the Willing,” including the U.K., France, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to discuss progress on the U.S.-initiated Russia-Ukraine ceasefire peace agreement. Zelenskyy expressed willingness to exchange views directly with Donald Trump and hoped to continue working with Europe and the United States to advance the ceasefire within the established framework discussed in Geneva.

Zelenskyy emphasized that “Ukraine must be involved in discussions regarding its own security guarantees.” He argued that the U.S. and Russia should not make decisions without Ukraine present; otherwise, future implementation may be difficult. He reiterated that unless Russia signals willingness to cease fire, the West should continue military assistance to Ukraine, maintain sanctions against Russia, and make proper use of frozen Russian assets.

Among the 28 provisions drafted by U.S. and Russian officials, the possibility of NATO troops being stationed on Ukrainian territory was excluded. However, the leaders of the U.K. and France insisted that deploying a multinational ground force in Ukraine would help deter further aggression. This has caused serious divisions among Western allies: Sweden, Denmark, and Australia signaled willingness to participate, while Poland, Greece, and Italy expressed opposition. Zelenskyy hopes European and American countries can establish a viable framework for deploying the “Reassurance Force Ukraine of the Coalition of the Willing” and proceed with signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The online meeting on the 25th took place just hours after Ukraine and the United States reached a “consensus” on the core terms of the peace agreement during bilateral talks. The most sensitive issues in the agreement remain unresolved and await an in-person meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump, the date of which has not yet been announced. Zelenskyy stated, “I am ready to meet with President Trump—there are still some sensitive issues to discuss, and we believe having European leaders present might be helpful,” suggesting he may travel to the U.S. together with other European leaders.