Shafaq News/ Hopes for a breakthrough in Ukraineceasefire talks dimmed on Wednesday after high-stakes negotiations in Londonwere abruptly downgraded following the unexpected withdrawal of senior USofficials.
The meeting brought together representatives from the US, UK,France, Germany, and Ukraine. However, the absence of US Secretary of StateMarco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who pulled out at the last minutefor "logistical reasons," shifted the format to closed-door technicaldiscussions. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s Ukraine envoy, led the US delegationin their place.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosted a separate bilateralmeeting with his Ukrainian counterpart and described the gathering as takingplace at a "critical moment for Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic security."
US Vice President JD Vance, speaking during a visit to India, saidWashington had issued “a very explicit offer” to both Kyiv and Moscow. “It’stime for them to either say yes or for the US to walk away from thisprocess."
Vance added that any settlement would require freezing the frontlines and mutual compromise. “The Ukrainians and the Russians are both going tohave to give up some of the territory they currently control."
The White House confirmed that Witkoff will travel to Moscow thisweek for his fourth meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, asdiplomatic efforts continue on multiple fronts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his call for“an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire,” insisting that “stopping thekilling is task number one.” He rejected reports that Kyiv was consideringrecognizing Russian sovereignty over Crimea, calling such suggestionsunfounded.
Speculation has grown in recent days that Russia may be willing tofreeze the conflict along current front lines in exchange for concessions.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed those reports as “fakes,"however, while Zelenskyy also denied receiving any such proposal, reaffirmingUkraine’s position that Crimea remains under illegal occupation.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022,following its 2014 annexation of Crimea and support for separatist forces ineastern Ukraine. The war has caused extensive displacement andwidespread casualties.
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