NewzVille International
Ukraine today hosted the security advisers for high-level talks, with Kyiv insisting negotiations are closing in on a peace deal, even as Russia says recent violence has undermined the process.
Zelensky said, “I met with the national security advisors of the Coalition of the Willing member states. Today, three panels were held involving Ukraine’s negotiating team and 18 participants from various countries and institutions. The primary focus was on security guarantees, rebuilding, and a basic framework for a real peace.”
During the meeting, they discussed all existing draft documents and examined in detail the sequencing of steps: on January 5, a meeting of chiefs of the general staff will take place, followed by a leaders-level meeting in Paris on January 6.
After these contacts, a productive joint meeting with representatives of the United States will be held.
The Ukrainian President on a positive note said, “Now we have a new wave, a new chance to finish this war. And we are thankful that on the diplomatic path, we are also not alone. I thank our partner states and their leaders for their consistent support for our country.”
Earlier, latest diplomatic push follows Zelenskyy’s New Year’s Eve address in which he said a U.S.-brokered peace plan was “90 percent” ready, while warning that key territorial issues remain unresolved.
Kyiv has repeatedly accused Moscow of having no genuine interest in peace and of attempting to sabotage negotiations to seize more Ukrainian territory.
Russia, meanwhile, accused Ukraine of carrying out a “terrorist attack” and “deliberately torpedoing” peace efforts after a strike on a hotel in Kherson killed 28 people celebrating the New Year. Moscow warned of unspecified “consequences.”
Ukraine said the strike targeted a military gathering and that the site was closed to civilians.
