Negotiations aimed at ending the nearly four-year full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine are approaching a critical juncture, but unresolved issues regarding territory and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant continue to pose significant obstacles. According to President Donald Trump, these remaining points are "one or two very thorny, very tough issues."
The Kremlin concurred with Trump's assessment that negotiations are "at a final stage." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to meet with European leaders in France on January 6 to discuss the situation further. However, any of the outstanding disagreements could potentially derail the entire peace process.
One of the most contentious issues is the fate of Ukraine's Donbas region, its industrial heartland, which Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to control entirely. While Russian forces currently occupy most of the Luhansk region, their control extends to only about 75% of the Donetsk region. Putin's demand includes the remaining "fortress belt" cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Zelensky has offered a compromise, but Putin has remained steadfast in his maximalist demands.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest, is another major point of contention. The plant is currently occupied by Russian forces, raising concerns about its safety and operational control. The details of its future management and security arrangements are yet to be resolved.
The current negotiation framework is reportedly based on a 20-point plan developed by Washington. The specifics of this plan have not been publicly released, but it is understood to address a range of issues beyond territory and the nuclear plant, including security guarantees, economic reconstruction, and the status of Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in 2014, escalating to a full-scale war in February 2022. The war has resulted in significant loss of life, displacement of millions of people, and widespread destruction of infrastructure. International efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution have been ongoing for years, with varying degrees of success.
The upcoming meeting between Zelensky and European leaders in France will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of the peace process. Whether the parties can overcome these "thorny" issues and reach a mutually acceptable agreement remains to be seen.
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