US signals progress in talks with Ukraine, while source reveals major obstacles

Kyiv is reportedly ready to agree to most points in the U.S. peace plan, except for three key issues. Significant differences remain between what the Trump administration is demanding from Ukraine and what Kyiv is willing to accept, CNN writes, citing a senior Ukrainian official familiar with the negotiations.

The source confirmed that consensus has been reached on most of the 28-point U.S. proposal leaked last week.

However, at least three major areas still involve substantial disagreements, which could either aid or hinder efforts to end the conflict:

First, the sensitive issue is whether Ukraine will cede key territories in the Donbas region in the east of the country, including a “protective zone” of heavily fortified towns and villages that are vital to Ukraine’s security.

A Ukrainian source told CNN that “some progress” has been made on the proposal, but no decision has yet been made on the content or wording of the draft proposals.

“It would be very wrong to say that we now have the version that was accepted by Ukraine,” the source added.

Second, the controversial US proposal to limit the size of Ukraine’s armed forces to 600,000 is also still under discussion. Discussions are now underway on a new, higher number, but Kyiv still wants further changes before agreeing to such limitations.

Finally, regarding Ukraine’s withdrawal from NATO membership, a source told CNN that this demand remains unacceptable. Such a concession would set a “bad precedent” and effectively give Russia veto power over the Western military alliance, even though it “is not even a member of the alliance.”