Trump’s growing impatience to end Ukraine war is a concern for Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been careful not to criticize or reject the U.S. draft peace deal — even though it appears to largely reflect many of Moscow’s demands.

Zelensky said in a night speech that Ukraine needs peace and will make diplomatic efforts and will not issue reckless statements. He said Ukraine was “ready to work constructively, honestly and efficiently”.

But there are deep concerns about some of the reported proposals, including giving up the entire Donbass region, reducing the size of Ukraine’s military and excluding the presence of international forces in the country – concessions that Ukraine has rejected in the past.

Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Yurchishin Tell the Kyiv Independent Washington wanted “a quick peace at the expense of the side they considered the weaker.”

Recent events may further weaken Ukraine’s position. Russia has made further gains in the east of the country. Moscow’s long-range attack on Ukraine’s power grid has left much of the country facing blackouts. Allegations of serious corruption in the Ukrainian government also led to political infighting and diverted attention from the war.

All these issues cannot be ignored in Washington and Moscow.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said peace requires tough decisions on both sides. The draft released by the media does include a commitment to provide “reliable security guarantees” to Ukraine.

This is believed to indicate that some frozen Russian assets should be used to help rebuild Ukraine. While the draft rules out Ukraine’s membership of the NATO military alliance, it leaves the door open for it to join the European Union.

Europe itself appears to have had little say in the drafting of the plan. The article made no mention of British and French-led efforts to provide international assurance troops to Ukraine after the ceasefire. The draft specifically excludes the presence of foreign troops.

Europe wants its voice to be heard. Pressure from European allies could still help Zelenskiy change the draft proposal.

But time may not be long. U.S. officials who proposed the plan, which was approved by U.S. President Donald Trump, are said to be working on an aggressive timeline – weeks rather than months. They are expected to travel to Moscow soon.

Any hope of getting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky to negotiate in the same room appears to have been abandoned.

Trump, who often claims he can end wars quickly, appears to have lost patience. He just wants both sides to sign an agreement.