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Russia claimed Kiev was trying to avoid “constructive talks” on a path to ending the war ahead of a crucial US-Ukraine summit on Sunday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in comments published on Sunday that Ukraine was trying to turn its fortunes on the battlefield instead of preparing for talks with the US on “stable agreements to resolve the initial causes of the conflict”, which would amount to Kiev’s surrender.
Lavrov also accused European countries – which have worked with Ukraine on proposed changes to US President Donald Trump’s peace plan – of trying to block efforts to reach a deal.
“After the change of administration in the US, Europe and the EU have become the main obstacle to peace,” Lavrov said in an interview with state newswire Tass.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to meet Trump in Miami later on Sunday, where he is expected to receive details of a 20-point peace plan developed with the US that is to be presented to Russia.
While preparing for the talks, Zelensky remained optimistic about what he called “the most active diplomatic days of the year at this time.”
“A lot can be decided before the New Year,” he wrote on social media. “We are doing everything in this direction, but whether the decision will be taken or not depends on our allies – those who help Ukraine, and those who put pressure on Russia so that the Russians feel the consequences of their aggression.”
This week alone, Russian forces launched more than 2,100 attack drones, nearly 800 guided aerial bombs and 94 missiles of various types, he said.
Zelensky told European leaders by phone Saturday that he does not expect Russia to drop its maximalist demands or agree to Ukraine’s proposed plan, but he wants the United States to focus its attention on putting pressure on Russia, two of the people said by phone.
Zelensky told European leaders that Ukraine is ready to withdraw troops from the front lines if Russia does the same to create a demilitarized zone, but wants credible security guarantees in return that would clearly stipulate what Kiev’s allies will do if Moscow breaks the peace again.
Zelensky also wants to ensure stable funding for Kyiv’s armed forces and support for its air defense, including the European military presence in Ukraine, the person said. Zelensky told European leaders that Ukraine could only agree to cede territories occupied by Russia in a referendum held under peaceful and secure conditions.
Zelensky also wants the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant near the frontline to be placed under international control and the electricity generated from it to be shared between both sides of the frontline.
Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been Russia’s main target for several months. More than 60 percent of Ukraine’s power generation capacity has been destroyed by the bombing. Saturday’s massive attack left more than 1 million homes in and around Kiev without power, according to DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company. It was said on Sunday that electricity had been restored to those houses.
Russia has already indicated it would reject any amendments proposed by Ukraine to Trump’s initial plan, which was drawn up in the autumn with significant input from Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared in military uniform at a command point late Saturday to publicize claims of his army’s success on the front lines.
In an apparent reference to the talks in Florida, Putin said the West was offering Kiev “good basic conditions for ensuring Ukraine’s security in the long-term historical perspective”, which he said included “restoring relations with Russia and the Ukrainian economy”.
However, if Ukraine does not accept those terms, Putin said Russia will pursue its war goals on the battlefield.
