Russian invasion Negotiations

Trump: Zelensky has nothing until I approve it

Donald Trump is taking a wait-and-see approach to Volodymyr Zelensky's new peace plan and signaling that he will decide whether it is sustainable or not, reports Politico.

- He has nothing until I approve it. So we'll see what he has, says Trump in an interview with the political website.

Zelensky is due to meet Trump in the US on Sunday and will bring a new 20-point peace plan with him. It includes a proposal for a demilitarized zone, and the presidents' meeting is expected to focus on security guarantees from the US.

The Ukrainian president is open to a referendum on a peace plan if Russia agrees to at least a 60-day ceasefire.

Reports: US wants to mine crypto near Zaporizhia

Russian President Vladimir Putin may consider giving up certain Russian-controlled areas in Ukraine to reach a peace agreement. But only on the condition that the entire Donbas becomes Russian.

The information is reported by Reuters with reference to the regime-loyal Russian newspaper Kommersant. During a meeting on Christmas Eve, Putin is said to have said that he is willing to negotiate about certain parts of Zaporizhia and Kherson as long as the entire Donbas comes under Russian control. Currently, Russia controls around 90 percent of Donbas.

According to Kommersant, Putin is also said that the US and Russia are discussing having joint control of the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia. According to the information, the US is interested in establishing a center for mining cryptocurrency nearby.

Zelensky confirms meeting with Trump on Sunday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he plans to meet US President Donald Trump on Sunday.

“Over the weekend, I think on Sunday in Florida, we will have a meeting with President Trump,” Zelensky says, according to AFP.

According to Zelensky, the current peace proposal is 90 percent complete and that he plans to discuss security guarantees with Trump during the meeting.

When Zelensky presented the proposal earlier this week, the US and Ukraine still did not fully agree on the territorial issues of Donetsk and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Russia has announced that it has received the proposal and is analyzing it. Among the 20 points are proposals for the front line to be frozen, a demilitarized zone to be established and that Ukraine will eventually gain membership in the EU. 

Zelensky: Referendum can be held during ceasefire

Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to hold a referendum on Trump's peace plan if Russia agrees to at least a 60-day ceasefire, he tells Axios.

Without a ceasefire, security threats could make the result illegitimate, according to the president.

- It is better not to hold a referendum than to hold one where people do not have the opportunity to vote.

The plan means that Ukraine must give up land in Donbas, and the American side reportedly sees it as a big step forward that Zelensky does not rule this out and is willing to hold a referendum.

Russia understands the need for a ceasefire during a referendum, but wants one shorter than 60 days, according to American government sources.

Zelensky and Trump are to meet on Sunday.