Special envoy Steve Witkoff, presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will reportedly meet in Germany this weekend with other European leaders to work on the U.S. peace plan.
The Washington Times has reached out to the White House for comment.
The White House has been urging Ukraine to accept its peace proposal to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine, but territorial concessions have been a potential roadblock.
The meeting comes after Mr. Zelenskyy said Thursday he had “constructive and in-depth conversation” with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Mr. Witkoff and Mr. Kushner to discuss security guarantees.
Mr. Zelenskyy recalled the “negative experience of the Budapest Memorandum,” signed in 1994, that Russia violated when it invaded Ukraine in 2014 and 2022.
“Therefore, it is now important that this document on security guarantees contains specific answers to what concerns Ukrainians the most: what the actions of partners will be if Russia decides to come with its aggression again,” he wrote on X.
On Wednesday, Mr. Zelenskyy said Ukraine was finalizing a revised 20-point peace plan “that could define the parameters for ending the war.”
“This week may bring news for all of us — and for bringing the bloodshed to an end,” he wrote on X. “We believe that peace has no alternative, and the key questions are how to compel Russia to stop the killings and what specifically will deter Russia from a third invasion.”
In a later Wednesday post, he said he had a productive meeting with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Mr. Kushner and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink over the “reconstruction and economic recovery of Ukraine.”
“We discussed key elements for recovery, various mechanisms, and visions for reconstruction. There are many ideas that, with the right approach, could succeed in Ukraine. We have also updated our reflections on the 20 points of the framework document for ending the war. It is overall security that will determine economic security and underpin a safe business environment,” he wrote on X.
President Trump has continuously pushed Mr. Zelenskyy to accept the U.S. proposal, which was originally 28 points presented last month.
Mr. Trump did note it’s not a final deal, but told Politico on Monday, “Well, he’s gonna have to get on the ball and start accepting things. …He’s losing.”
One of the sticking points is that Russia wants Ukraine’s Donbas region, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk.
Mr. Zelenskyy said the U.S. discussed creating a “free economic zone” in the Donbas region, but questions remain over who will be in charge of the zone.
The Ukrainian leader said Mr. Trump wants a status of the plan by Christmas.
