Russia lashes out at Ukraine’s president ahead of his meeting with Trump, claiming he and EU backers aim to sabotage new proposals to end the war.
KYIV: Russia accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his European Union backers of seeking to “torpedo” a US-brokered plan to end the war.
The accusation came ahead of Zelensky’s scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss new peace proposals.
Trump is intensifying efforts to halt Europe’s worst conflict since World War II, which has killed tens of thousands since February 2022.
Zelensky revealed details of a 20-point plan this week that would freeze the war on current front lines.
The proposal would allow Ukraine to pull back troops from the east, where demilitarised buffer zones could be created.
Ahead of the talks, several powerful explosions were reported in Kyiv on Saturday, prompting air raid alerts.
Ukraine’s air force announced a countrywide alert, saying drones and missiles were moving over several regions.
Trump commented on Zelensky’s plan to Politico, stating, “he doesn’t have anything until I approve it.”
Zelensky held telephone talks on Friday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and other European leaders.
A spokesperson for Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the leaders reiterated their commitment to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
The new plan formulated with Ukraine’s input acknowledges possible territorial concessions.
It differs from an initial 28-point proposal tabled by Washington last month that adhered to many of Russia’s core demands.
Part of the plan includes separate US-Ukraine bilateral agreements on security guarantees, reconstruction, and the economy.
“We will discuss these documents, security guarantees,” Zelensky said of Sunday’s meeting.
He added that they would discuss the Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Russia signalled its opposition to the plan ahead of the Florida talks.
Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov criticised Zelensky’s stance on Russian television.
“Our ability to make the final push and reach an agreement will depend on our own work and the political will of the other party,” Ryabkov said.
He accused Kyiv and its sponsors within the European Union of stepping up efforts to sabotage an agreement.
Ryabkov said the proposal drawn up with Zelensky’s input “differs radically” from points initially drawn up by US and Russian officials.
He stated any deal must remain within limits fixed by Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin during their August meeting.
Zelensky said this week disagreements remain with Washington over territory and the status of the Zaporizhzhia plant.
Washington has pushed Ukraine to withdraw from the 20% of the eastern Donetsk region it still controls.
It has also proposed joint US-Ukrainian-Russian control of the Zaporizhzhia plant, which Russia seized.
Zelensky said he could only give up more land if the Ukrainian people agree in a referendum.
He also stated he does not want Russian participation in controlling the nuclear plant.
The new plan has removed a requirement for Kyiv to legally renounce its bid to join NATO.
Previous clauses on territory seized by Russia since 2014 being recognised as belonging to Moscow were also removed.
Moscow has shown little inclination to abandon its demands for a full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas.
Russia also continues to demand an end to Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO.
Zelensky said Ukrainian negotiators were not directly in touch with Moscow, with the US acting as intermediary.
“I think we will know their official response in the coming days,” Zelensky said.
He added, “Russia is always looking for reasons not to agree.”
