Kyiv backs peace deal ‘essence’ but key issues linger

)Zelenskyy says will discuss disputed matters with Trump

- REUTERS

Ukraine on Tuesday signalled support for the framework of a peace deal with Russia but stressed that sensitive issues needed to be fixed at a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump.

Kyiv’s message hinted that an intense diplomatic push by the Trump administration could be yielding some fruit but any optimism could be short-lived, especially as Russia stressed it would not let any deal stray too far from its own objectives. US and Ukrainian negotiators held talks on the latest US-backed peace plan in Geneva on Sunday. US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll then met on Monday and Tuesday with Russian officials in ‘Abu Dhabi, a spokesperson for Driscoll said.

US and Ukrainian officials have been trying to narrow the gaps between them over the plan to end Europe's deadliest and most devastating conflict since World War Two, with Ukraine wary of being strong-armed into accepting a deal largely on the Kremlin's terms, including territorial concessions.

“Ukraine - after Geneva - supports the framework's essence, and some of the most sensitive issues remain as points for the discussion between presidents,” a Ukrainian official said.