The Economist: US considers terms of peace deal with Russia and Ukraine

White House plans for conflict resolution

According to The Economist, the US administration is currently actively working on resuming the negotiation process between Ukraine and Russia. Sources in the Ukrainian government describe the key points of a possible peace plan being prepared in Washington.

According to this data, the draft agreement includes the following elements:

• The creation of a demilitarised zone in the territory of Donbas. The publication does not specify under the de facto control of which side — Russian or Ukrainian — this region will end up.
• Russia will be given the opportunity to conclude contracts with American corporations, and also expects the lifting of sanctions restrictions and the normalisation of political relations.
• Ukraine will renounce accession to NATO, instead receiving investment support and the prospect of membership in the European Union.
• The resumption of Russian gas supplies to European countries and the restart of the "North Stream" pipeline.

Washington's move ahead

The Economist notes that Ukrainian negotiators are expressing concern about possible actions by American representatives. In Kyiv, there are fears that the US may sign favourable agreements even before the cessation of hostilities.

«З їхньої точки зору, навіщо затягувати і втрачати час? Час — гроші» (From their point of view, why drag it out and waste time? Time is money), the publication quotes one of the Ukrainian officials as saying.

Impact of the political situation in the US on leaders' positions

The publication analyses why US President Donald Trump demonstrates greater favour towards Russian leader Vladimir Putin than towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Journalists claim that Zelensky's harsh statements have only intensified the tension in relations with Washington.

«Поява Зеленського, який обрушився з критикою на Трампа за «слабкі» рішення, схоже, ґрунтується на розрахунку, що поразка на виборах послабить позиції останнього. Ймовірно, цей розрахунок помилковий» (The appearance of Zelensky, who launched criticism at Trump for 'weak' decisions, seems to be based on the calculation that a defeat in the elections will weaken the latter's position. Probably, this calculation is mistaken), the material in The Economist states.

Risks for Kyiv from the internal political struggle in the US

One of the members of the US Congress warned that the internal political situation could have negative consequences for Ukraine. According to him, the intensification of investigations into Trump's actions by the Congress, which is controlled by Democrats, will force the president to act more harshly.

«Чим активніше Конгрес під контролем демократів розслідуватиме діяльність Трампа, тим жорсткіше він діятиме. Це не піде на користь Україні» (The more actively the Congress under Democratic control investigates Trump's activities, the harsher he will act. This will not be to Ukraine's benefit), the congressman told the publication.