US President Donald Trump has said a future peace deal to end the war in Ukraine will mean the country taking on a new “shape,” signalling that Kyiv could be expected to lose territory in forthcoming negotiations.
Trump spoke to reporters as he arrived at West Palm Beach, Florida, on Air Force One, hours after Russia’s second largest oil refinery was attacked. His comments strongly indicated that US-mediated tri-lateral talks will include Ukraine being expected to give up land, a red line for Kyiv’s government.
Refinery hit as drones strike region
The Kirishi refinery in Leningrad was hit twice as 113 of Ukraine’s drones attacked the region in the early hours, in defiance of Trump’s request to end the strikes on Russia’s oil industry. Two major blazes broke out at the refinery as powerful explosions were reported by witnesses close to the site.
Ukraine has been trying to degrade Russia’s ability to pay for the war, which began with a full-scale invasion in February 2022. In its campaign against the oil industry, Ukraine has now degraded the output of as many as 30 major refineries across the country.
Negotiations scheduled in Abu Dhabi
Trump told CBS a peace deal was coming, adding: “I think we’re gonna have it done, and I think it’s gonna happen and they’re gonna end up with a little bit different shape Ukraine.” When asked if Russian President Vladimir Putin was deliberately scuppering negotiations, Trump replied: “Oh, I don’t think so.”
A new round of two-day US-mediated negotiations between Ukraine and Russia is scheduled for tomorrow in Abu Dhabi. They will focus on postwar security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and steps toward ending the war.
The Russian side will be represented by Putin hardliner Vladimir Medinsky, who has previously issued demands that Ukraine accept Moscow’s terms to end the war. These include Kyiv completely abandoning its integration with the West, and he has declared Moscow was prepared to continue fighting “for as long as necessary.”
Zelensky rules out ceding territory
President Volodymyr Zelensky last month said he would be prepared to freeze the frontline, stressing that Russia does not hold all of the Donbas region. He said: “When someone speaks about 25 percent, it implies that we would have to surrender the entire Donbas and only then would the Russians control 25 percent. Right now, they control 19.3 percent.”
He maintained that Ukraine would not cede any territory to Russia long-term, saying: “We will never recognize the occupied territory as Russian.” Earlier this year Zelensky stressed that he would not accept losing Crimea, which Russia invaded in 2014, as part of any peace negotiations.
Zelensky has also declared that even after a peace deal Ukraine would need help funding a military in order to maintain security for at least ten years.
