Ukraine, Wsj: US unwilling to compromise on peace plan

The talks in Berlin between Ukrainians and Americans are difficult, the American side seems unwilling to compromise on its draft peace agreement. The Wsj writes this after yesterday's first round, which will continue today. "Negotiations between Ukraine and its Western partners have turned into a tug-of-war, even without Russia's participation at the negotiating table," sources explain to the Wsj. Washington is pushing for quick solutions, while Zelensky and the Europeans argue that significant differences remain over both the withdrawal from the Donbass and the clear definition of guarantees.

The Russian president is open to a comprehensive peace agreement, but opposes temporary truces. This was stated by his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, quoted by Tass, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had proposed in talks with the US a freezing of the conflict on the current lines. For Russia, Ukraine's non-accession to NATO - granted yesterday by Zelensky - is "the cornerstone" of the peace talks and requires precise legal guarantees. This was said by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by Russian media. The issue 'requires special consideration, against the background of other issues', Peskov commented.

EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, arriving at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, said: "The other options do not work, already two years ago I proposed Eurobonds to support Ukraine but there is no unanimity". He added: "The loan proposal can be approved by qualified majority, it does not burden our taxpayers and it sends a message, if you cause all this damage to another country, you have to pay for the reparations," he added, commenting on the letter sent to the Commission by four countries, including Italy, on the need to continue exploring alternative solutions. Kallas stressed that there are 'several pressures'.

"We have to understand that the Donbass is not Putin's ultimate goal. If he conquers the Donbass, the fortress will fall and then they will surely proceed to conquer the whole of Ukraine. And, as you know, if Ukraine falls, other regions will also be in danger. We know this from history and we should learn from history," Kallas added. "If NATO membership is out of the question, then we have to see what the concrete security guarantees are. They cannot be documents or promises. They must be real troops, real capabilities, so that Ukraine is able to defend itself."

Meanwhile, in the case filed with the Moscow Arbitration Court, the Russian Central Bank demanded compensation of around EUR 200 billion from the Belgian fund Euroclear for the EU's freezing of Russian assets.