Zelenskyy details peace talks impasse, highlights Türkiye's mediation effort

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy detailed significant obstacles in peace negotiations on Thursday, highlighting a divide in diplomatic approaches. He stated the United States conditions a ceasefire on a comprehensive, signed peace deal, while noting Türkiye's distinct and active mediation efforts for localized humanitarian truces currently rejected by Russia.

Türkiye's Pursuit of a Localized Truce

A key point in Zelenskyy's remarks was the role of Türkiye. He confirmed that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been working to initiate a separate process focusing on energy and water infrastructure. "I told him that we are ready," Zelenskyy said, explaining the proposal involved technical and leadership meetings. However, this initiative is stalled because Russia refuses to accept such limited truces without a broader overarching agreement, a stance Zelenskyy suggested aligns with Washington's preference for a single framework.

Stalled Exchanges and Membership Hurdles

Zelenskyy reported that previously agreed prisoner exchanges have effectively halted, accusing Russia of slowing the process. On the geopolitical front, he expressed hope that a future peace agreement could include a clause on European Union membership, potentially leveraging US influence to unblock Ukraine's path. He was starkly clear on NATO, however, quoting US officials: "The US does not want to see us in NATO. And they say this openly," describing it as a long-standing American position.

Key Sticking Points in the Negotiations

The Ukrainian president confirmed Kyiv submitted a condensed 20-point peace plan to Washington, covering security, recovery, and guarantees. Critical territorial disputes remain unresolved, particularly over the Donbas region. Zelenskyy dismissed a proposed model for a "demilitarized zone," citing unanswered questions about administration and security. The status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was cited as another major unresolved issue. While the US seeks clarity by year's end, Zelenskyy emphasized Kyiv prioritizes a substantive result over speed.