Hope for Ukraine Peace Deal Hinges on Key Issues

U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg has stated that a peace deal to end the Ukraine war is “really close,” with progress hinging on resolving two critical issues: the future of Ukraine’s Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is currently under Russian control. The conflict, stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and ongoing tensions in the Donbas region, has led to over two million casualties between both nations. Kellogg emphasized the challenges associated with finalizing the deal, describing the negotiation phase as “the last 10 metres,” which is often the most difficult. The U.S. has proposed that the Zaporizhzhia plant resume operations under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency, with power generated being shared between Ukraine and Russia. Recent leaked peace proposals have raised concerns among Ukrainian and European officials regarding concessions to Moscow, including territorial control and military limitations for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has engaged in dialogue with U.S. officials, indicating ongoing diplomatic efforts toward a resolution.

SOURCE: CNBC