Ukraine is willing to give de facto the territories occupied by the Russians, says Trump's emissary: ”22 concrete conditions he has accepted”
Volodimir Zelenski and Trump's emissary, Keith Kellogg, met in Kiev. Photo: Hennadi Minchenko / Ukrinform Via Zuma Press Wire / Splashnews.com / Profimedia
Special US messenger, Keith Kellogg said that Washington is not expecting to give up peace efforts, despite the threats made by the White House leader, The Kyiv Indendant notes.
“The Ukrainians have already said that they are willing to give up the territory … not by law, forever, but de facto, because the Russians actually occupy it … This is willing to accept, they told me last week,” Kellogg said in a television interview, quoted by The Telegraph.
Russia controls about 20% of the territory of Ukraine, largely the central industrial area of the country.
This occurs in the context of the frantic efforts of the Trump administration to mediate a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
Vladimir Putin has so far rejected a permanent armistice, but announced on Monday a cessation of three-day fire, between May 8 and 11, which Kellogg qualified as “absurd”.
“I do not believe,” Kellogg replied when he was asked if the US is ready to withdraw from the peace negotiations to end the Russian war against Ukraine.
“I had 22 concrete conditions that (Ukraine) accepted. What they want … and what they have is a very comprehensive and permanent fire cessation agreement, leading to a peace treaty. When I say comprehensive, I refer to the maritime, air and earth infrastructure for at least 30 days … it could become an important initiative,” said Kellogg.
Kellogg mentioned that the cessation of fire should last at least 30 days, adding that this is also the point of view of US President Donald Trump.
“The reason why 30 days are important is that the cessation of fire stops the killings. This is what President Trump wants,” Kellogg said.
Asked if Putin would be willing to accept the cessation of fire, Kellogg replied that he “depends” on the Russian leader.
“If (Putin) he really wants to stop the killings, if he wants this war to end, a way to do so has been presented,” Kellogg said.
The US could partially accept Russia's maximalist requests towards Ukraine to reach an understanding, said the special envoy.
“People do not understand how violent this war was. Only soldiers, if we gather Ukrainian and Russian soldiers killed and wounded, were over 1.2 million, an unheard of,” Kellogg said.
Last night, Kiev and Washington signed an agreement on rare minerals, after weeks of negotiations, which will allow the United States to exploit the natural resources of Ukraine.
Overnight, Russia intensified the air bombings on Ukraine, Kiev air forces saying that Moscow has launched five ballistic missiles and 170 drones.
