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Zelensky Blames Trump for Unfair Pressure as Geneva Talks Push Toward Territorial Freeze

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  • In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier looks out of a shelter near Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
    In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier looks out of a shelter near Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
    Image: Newsweek
    In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier looks out of a shelter near Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Source Full size
  • The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are being mediated by Steve Witkoff.
    The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are being mediated by Steve Witkoff.
    Image: BBC
    The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are being mediated by Steve Witkoff. (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are being mediated by Steve Witkoff.
    The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are being mediated by Steve Witkoff.
    Image: BBC
    The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are being mediated by Steve Witkoff. (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier looks out of a shelter near Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
    In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier looks out of a shelter near Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
    Image: Newsweek
    In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier looks out of a shelter near Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Source Full size

Zelensky Calls Trump’s Push for Concessions Unfair In a Feb 17 2026 Axios interview, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Donald Trump’s public urging of Ukraine to “make concessions” amounts to undue pressure, distinguishing it from talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner [1]. He warned that any plan requiring cession of undisputed Donbas territory would be rejected in a Ukrainian referendum [1]. Zelensky also proposed anchoring a peace document to the current front line, believing a freeze would gain public support [1]. The war entered its fourth year, with Geneva negotiations now the focal point [1].

U.S. Envoy Declares First Day of Geneva Talks Meaningful Steve Witkoff announced that the opening session on Feb 16 2026 produced “meaningful progress” toward ending the war, praising Trump’s involvement while urging continuation on the second day [2]. Negotiations are mediated by Witkoff, Kushner, and Russia’s chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky, with Ukrainian lead Dmytro Umerov handling practical mechanics [2]. The six‑hour session was described as tense, and both sides reported heavy drone activity that threatened the diplomatic atmosphere [2].

Territorial Stalemate Remains Core Issue Russia’s delegation, led by Medinsky, entered Geneva insisting on retaining Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which together comprise about one‑fifth of Ukraine’s internationally recognized land [3]. Kyiv’s constitution bars any territorial cession, and Zelensky’s freeze‑front‑line proposal aligns with Ukraine’s refusal to make major concessions [1][3]. The United States suggested a limited Ukrainian withdrawal to create a “free economic zone” and offered a 15‑year security guarantee, which Kyiv deemed insufficient [3]. The contested status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant added urgency to the talks [3].

Drone Skirmishes Escalate as Talks Continue The Russian defence ministry reported shooting down 43 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and Crimea, while Ukraine’s air force intercepted roughly 100 of 126 Russian attack drones launched during the same period [2]. Both sides cited the drone activity as a destabilizing factor, yet negotiations proceeded amid the aerial clashes [2].

Sources

Timeline

1994 – The Budapest Memorandum is signed, giving Ukraine security assurances in exchange for relinquishing its nuclear arsenal, a framework later undermined by Russia’s actions. [25]

2010 – The New START treaty limits U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear forces to 1,550 warheads each; it is set to expire in 2026. [2]

2014 – Russia annexes Crimea, violating the Budapest assurances and escalating tensions with Kyiv. [25]

2021 – Senior U.S. and Russian military contacts are suspended, halting direct dialogue before the invasion. [2]

Feb 2022 – Russia launches a full‑scale invasion of Ukraine, initiating a war that will last four years. [1][3][4]

Dec 1, 2025 – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner hold a four‑hour meeting with Ukrainian officials in Florida, call it productive, and schedule senior U.S.–Russian talks in Moscow within days while noting recent Russian strikes on Kyiv. [24]

Dec 3, 2025 – NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte warns Putin the alliance will not retreat and urges 5 % GDP defense spending; U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff meets Putin in Brussels without reaching a deal as Ukrainian forces push Russian troops toward Kupiansk. [23]

Dec 7, 2025 – Donald Trump Jr. tells the Doha Forum that his father may walk away from Ukraine if peace talks stall, criticising U.S. efforts and highlighting a recent Ukrainian corruption scandal. [22]

Dec 7, 2025 – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travels to London, meets PM Keir Starmer, President Macron and Chancellor Merz, discusses the “Coalition of the Willing,” and notes Trump’s criticism of his handling of the draft peace proposal. [21]

Dec 9, 2025 – Zelenskyy uses a WhatsApp group chat while flying between London and Brussels to answer reporters, stresses Ukraine will not surrender land, and notes uncertainty over U.S. security commitments during his 36‑hour European tour. [20]

Dec 9, 2025 – In London, Zelenskyy tells reporters Ukraine will not cede territory, says the U.S. plan has been trimmed to 20 points, and warns that Trump’s impatience is growing. [28]

Dec 11, 2025 – Zelenskyy convenes a video conference with about 30 allied nations, including Germany, Britain and France, to coordinate a “critical moment” in peace talks as Trump pushes for a swift settlement and European leaders propose finalising proposals over the weekend. [19]

Dec 12, 2025 – Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov announces Russian police and National Guard will remain in Donbas after any peace settlement, conditions a ceasefire on Ukrainian withdrawal, while Kyiv reports gains near Kupiansk. [18]

Dec 14, 2025 – Zelenskyy announces Ukraine will drop its NATO membership bid in exchange for “Article 5‑like” security guarantees, submits a revised 20‑point plan to Washington, and meets U.S. envoys in Berlin. [17]

Dec 15, 2025 – EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas rejects Russia’s demand for security guarantees, warns that losing Donbas could open a broader Ukrainian conquest, and notes the Kremlin’s refusal to allow Western troops on Ukrainian soil. [16]

Dec 15, 2025 – President Zelenskyy formally abandons Ukraine’s NATO bid, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says NATO remains a core issue in any settlement and Trump publicly dismisses NATO entry for Kyiv. [15]

Dec 15, 2025 – The United States offers unspecified security guarantees to Ukraine, presents an “Article 5‑like” document in Berlin, and European leaders pledge a multinational force; Russia launches a large drone wave amid the talks. [14]

Dec 16, 2025 – Zelenskyy says draft peace proposals from Berlin could be finalized within days, describes them as “very workable,” and notes that Russia seeks a full settlement, not a temporary cease‑fire. [13]

Dec 25, 2025 – Zelenskyy, Witkoff and Kushner hold a Christmas‑day call, call it “very good,” discuss a 20‑point plan that includes a demilitarised Donbas zone and security guarantees, while Putin demands full cession of Donetsk. [12]

Dec 28, 2025 – After a weekend of heavy Russian strikes on Kyiv, Zelenskyy meets President Donald Trump at Mar‑a‑Lago, says Russia “doesn’t want peace,” and discusses a revised 20‑point plan with the remaining 10 % of issues involving land concessions and a proposed economic free zone. [11]

Dec 28, 2025 – Zelenskyy arrives in Florida following a Kyiv missile attack, meets Trump to close gaps in the peace plan, confirms 90 % of terms are settled, and highlights a potential joint‑run Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and a Donbas free‑zone. [10]

Dec 28, 2025 – Trump hosts Zelenskyy, declares the talks “excellent,” says Ukraine and Russia are closer to peace, notes Donbas and security guarantees dominate discussions, and hints at a follow‑up meeting with European leaders in January. [30]

Jan 3, 2026 – Kyiv hosts security‑allies talks with about 15 countries, EU and NATO representatives, and a U.S. video link; Zelenskyy says the U.S.-brokered peace plan is 90 % ready and announces a cabinet reshuffle. [9]

Jan 3, 2026 – European security advisers converge in Kyiv, outline a multilateral security guarantee with European troops and a U.S. backstop, and discuss an $800 billion reconstruction package; the next phase moves to European capitals. [29]

Jan 7, 2026 – Viktor Medvedchuk warns that the French‑British Paris declaration to deploy post‑war military hubs in Ukraine could trigger a “third world war,” while France, the UK and Ukraine sign the declaration and U.S. envoys attend. [8]

Jan 8, 2026 – Zelenskyy says a bilateral security‑guarantees document with the United States is “essentially ready,” cites Paris meetings that tackled complex issues, and awaits U.S. engagement with Moscow before finalisation. [7]

Jan 22, 2026 – Steve Witkoff tells reporters at Davos that the war hinges on one solvable issue, praises Ukraine’s negotiating team, and prepares to travel to Moscow then Abu Dhabi for working groups on military and economic matters. [6]

Jan 22, 2026 – Zelenskyy announces that trilateral talks with the United States and Russia will be held in the UAE, stresses Donbas as the main sticking point, and says he has secured U.S. security guarantees pending congressional approval. [5]

Jan 23, 2026 – Russia, Ukraine and the United States hold their first three‑way meeting in Abu Dhabi, with Trump pressuring both sides, Zelenskyy calling the talks a step toward ending the war, and Donbas remaining the primary deadlock. [3]

Jan 23, 2026 – The Abu Dhabi trilateral talks continue, described by the Kremlin as “substantive, constructive and very frank” but conditional on resolving territorial issues; the U.S. delegation includes Witkoff and Kushner, and a 20‑point U.S. plan is discussed. [4]

Feb 5, 2026 – Senior U.S. and Russian officers resume regular military‑to‑military dialogue on the margins of Abu Dhabi talks, framed by EUCOM as a peace‑building tool, and begin negotiations to extend the New START treaty that expires on Thursday. [2]

Feb 5, 2026 – Within days of the Abu Dhabi meeting, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner plan to travel to Moscow for senior‑level talks with President Putin, aiming to advance the peace process. [2]

Feb 18, 2026 – U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff declares “meaningful progress” on the first day of Geneva negotiations, notes heavy drone activity on both sides, reports Ukraine’s demand for security guarantees, and records Russia’s maximalist territorial stance a week before the invasion’s fourth anniversary. [1]

Jan 2026 (following week) – France hosts the “coalition of the willing” leaders in Paris to coordinate responses to the war and present a unified position ahead of further negotiations. [9]

Late Dec 2025 / early Jan 2026 – U.S. envoys plan to deliver the finalized Berlin peace proposals to the Kremlin and hold follow‑up meetings in the United States the next weekend. [13]

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