Ukraine, US prepare deal independent of direct talks with Russia, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy detailed the current progress on a peace agreement and the country’s postwar economic recovery as he said Ukraine and the US prepare a framework deal independent of direct talks with Russia.

Speaking to journalists on December 11, he noted that the first steps of the peace plan have begun, with the United States sharing its proposals with Russia and receiving them returned with modifications, Caliber.Az reports, citing RBC-Ukraine.

“Certain steps have already taken place: the American side went to Russia with its own vision, returned with amendments, which we refined and handed back to the Americans,” Zelenskyy said.

The president stressed that the United States can assist Ukraine and that nothing from the Russian side prevents such cooperation. Work on effective security guarantees is proceeding in parallel.

According to Zelenskyy, the economic and security sections may be signed simultaneously, but the framework agreement is essential to establish the core principles for ending the war.

Additionally, the president emphasised that Ukraine’s recovery plan could become a modern-day “Marshall Plan,” which helped rebuild European economies after World War II.

The project will involve the United States and European partners, combining financial aid with strategic investments for rapid reconstruction.

By Jeyhun Aghazada