Trump pushes Zelensky towards peace on Russia's terms, using economic arguments - NYT
US President Donald Trump is stepping up efforts to persuade Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a peace deal that may involve territorial concessions and largely take into account Russia's demands. One of Washington's arguments has been the possible economic benefits Ukraine could receive after the war ends.
This is stated in an analytical piece by The New York Times, published ahead of the negotiations scheduled for October 20 in Oslo, Norway.
According to the publication, Trump is increasingly insistent in trying to get Zelensky to agree to a deal with Moscow. The American president is convincing the Ukrainian leader that it is impractical to continue insisting on the return of the occupied territories in the east of the country.
Trump also believes that Ukraine could receive economic advantages from a peace agreement if it agrees to a compromise, even if the document largely corresponds to Russian demands.
The NYT does not specify whether the possible territorial concessions involve legally recognizing the occupied Ukrainian lands as part of Russia, or whether it is a de facto renunciation of their return as part of a future settlement.
According to the newspaper, Trump administration officials consider the current stage of the war to be a turning point. In their opinion, the next step should be taken by Zelensky, demonstrating readiness for agreements with Moscow, even if this requires territorial compromises.
Meanwhile, according to Axios, the US, Ukraine and European partners have been jointly developing new peace proposals over the past week. An American official told the publication that work is proceeding along two main tracks.
The first involves securing Ukraine's future, including providing reliable security guarantees, support for European integration, and the creation of a comprehensive post-war economic recovery program. It should include funding for state needs, attracting long-term investment, and opportunities for economic growth.
The second track concerns the preparation of proposals for Russia. They should cover the conditions for ending the war, the formation of a new security system between Moscow and Europe, as well as prospects for economic cooperation after the cessation of hostilities.
According to the Axios source, the American administration intends to find out whether these drafts can become a basis for substantive negotiations with Russia. At the same time, final agreements do not yet exist, and the content of the proposals is still being worked out.
The discussion is scheduled for October 20 in Oslo with the participation of Zelensky, Trump's special representative Stephen Witkoff, and European leaders. It is expected that after the meeting, the American representative will travel to Russia, where he hopes to hold talks with Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports a shift in European capitals' approach to negotiations with Moscow. According to the publication, European leaders are increasingly leaning towards the need for direct contacts with Putin, fearing that Washington's policy is determined primarily by prospects for economic deals with Russia.
In its analytical piece, FT describes two possible compromise scenarios that could be discussed in the future: freezing the war along the current line of control in exchange for a guarantee that Ukraine will not join NATO, or transferring the rest of Donbas to Russia in exchange for the possibility of Ukraine joining the Alliance.
However, these scenarios are analytical assumptions about possible negotiations, not officially agreed proposals by Ukraine, the US or European states. It is also unknown whether Russia is ready to consider any of these options.
Despite disagreements between Washington and Kyiv, the American side says the goal of the current consultations remains preparing a long-term peace settlement with the participation of Ukraine and European partners.
Based on: The New York Times, Axios, Financial Times
