Vance Presses for Peace Deal, Zelenskyy Refuses to Cede Territory/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Planned high-level talks in London over the Russia-Ukraine war were downgraded Wednesday. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said it’s time for Ukraine and Russia to accept a peace deal or lose U.S. backing. Ukraine reiterated it would not concede any occupied territory to Russia.
Vance Urges Peace Decision as London War Talks Scale Back: Quick Looks
- Talks Downgraded: Originally a high-level meeting, the London peace summit was reduced to lower-level attendees after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio dropped out.
- Vance Issues Ultimatum: U.S. Vice President JD Vance said a final peace proposal has been issued, urging Russia and Ukraine to accept or risk U.S. withdrawal from talks.
- Territorial Lines Proposal: Vance hinted at a deal freezing the conflict near current lines, requiring both sides to relinquish some claims — a nonstarter for Kyiv.
- Zelenskyy Pushback: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not trade land for peace, calling such proposals unacceptable.
- Kremlin Response: Russian officials said consultations continue but warned of no breakthroughs as positions remain far apart.
- Deadly Drone Strike: A Russian drone killed nine people, including eight women, in Dnipropetrovsk as fighting continues despite ceasefire discussions.
- Delegation Still in London: Ukraine’s team arrived in London, reaffirming commitment to a ceasefire but standing firm on territorial integrity.
- U.S. Growing Impatient: Secretary Rubio’s absence and Vance’s firm tone reflect rising American frustration with the pace of negotiations.
Vance Presses for Peace Deal, Zelenskyy Refuses to Cede Territory
Deep Look
LONDON – April 23, 2025 — Hopes for a major breakthrough in negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war dimmed Wednesday after a key diplomatic meeting in London was abruptly scaled down and U.S. Vice President JD Vance issued a blunt message: it’s decision time.
Vance, speaking during a visit to India, said the United States had put forward a final proposal for a peace deal and was preparing to exit the process if Ukraine and Russia fail to agree.
“It’s time for them to either say yes or for the United States to walk away,” Vance said in Agra.
While Vance called the plan “a very fair proposal,” he declined to offer specifics. He described it as freezing territorial control near current frontlines — suggesting both Kyiv and Moscow would need to concede claims.
Zelenskyy Draws a Red Line
That suggestion sparked immediate rejection from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who reiterated his refusal to accept any plan that legitimizes Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory.
“There is nothing to talk about — it is our land,” Zelenskyy said firmly in Kyiv.
Ukraine insists that Russia must withdraw from all occupied areas, including Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, before any permanent peace can be discussed.
Talks in Limbo
What was expected to be a four-way meeting between U.S., British, French, and Ukrainian foreign ministers was reduced to a working-level gathering after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled out due to “scheduling conflicts.”
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed the downgraded meeting and called it part of a broader “ongoing dialogue.”
Despite Rubio’s absence, a U.S. delegation including Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg and special envoy Steve Witkoff continued to represent Washington’s interests. Witkoff is reportedly planning a follow-up trip to Moscow later this week.
Deadly Violence Continues
Even as talks flounder, the fighting on the ground shows no signs of slowing.
A Russian drone strike hit a commuter bus in the eastern city of Marganets, killing eight women and one man and injuring over 40 others. Photos from the scene showed shattered windows and blood on the vehicle floor.
Ukraine’s 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line remains fiercely contested, with both sides launching long-range attacks amid stalled battlefield advances.
Kremlin Skepticism
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov signaled little optimism, noting that U.S. and Russian positions remain divided.
“They so far have failed to bring their positions closer on some issues,” Peskov said, while declining to elaborate on the peace framework being considered.
Moscow has so far rejected calls for a full 30-day ceasefire without securing concessions or recognition for its occupied territories.
European Dilemma
European allies are also divided. A French official, speaking anonymously, acknowledged the grim reality: Russia controls swaths of Ukrainian land, and a deal may need to reflect those facts if the goal is a ceasefire.
“If the goal is to obtain a ceasefire immediately, it should be based on the line of contact as it is,” the official said.
But Europe remains steadfast in supporting Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and aspirations to integrate further with the West.
Trump’s Influence and Frustrations
President Donald Trump, who has long promised to end the war “in 24 hours,” has become increasingly impatient with both Putin and Zelenskyy. His administration’s pressure campaign is testing alliances and reshaping diplomacy.
While Trump has previously criticized NATO’s involvement and U.S. aid to Ukraine, his administration’s efforts now reflect a drive to bring the war to a close before the 2026 midterm elections.
Ukrainian Delegation Stands Firm
Despite the scaled-back nature of the summit, Ukraine’s delegation — led by Andrii Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov — arrived in London ready to continue talks.
“The path to peace is not easy,” Yermak wrote on X. “But Ukraine has been and remains committed to peaceful efforts.”
He reaffirmed Ukraine’s position: a full or partial ceasefire must precede any serious diplomatic engagement.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.