Zelenskyy says key gaps remain on Donbas in US-led peace talks

ISTANBUL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said negotiators working on a US-brokered peace proposal have yet to reach agreement on control of eastern regions, noting that Ukraine, the US and Russia still differ on the future of Donbas region.

In remarks to Bloomberg published on Monday, Zelenskyy said several “sensitive issues” remain under discussion, including long-term security guarantees and territorial arrangements covering Donetsk and Luhansk in Donbas.

“There are visions of the US, Russia and Ukraine — and we don’t have a unified view on Donbas,” he said, adding that Kyiv is also pushing for a separate accord on security guarantees from Western partners, particularly the US.

His comments followed statements by US President Donald Trump, who said he was “a little bit disappointed” in Zelenskyy and claimed the Ukrainian leader had not yet reviewed the full proposal, while asserting Moscow was “fine with it.”

Zelenskyy rejected any suggestion of backtracking, saying additional work was needed to reach consensus.

The Ukrainian leader reiterated that Kyiv expects security guarantees with a level of protection comparable to NATO’s Article 5, which says that an armed attack against one or more members will be considered an attack against all.

“There is one question I — and all Ukrainians — want to get an answer to: if Russia again starts a war, what will our partners do,” he said.

Zelenskyy arrived in London for meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron for further discussions on peace in Ukraine.