US Vice President Vance stated the delay in peace talks over territorial disputes
US Vice President JD Vance expressed doubt about reaching a peaceful settlement of the war between Russia and Ukraine due to complex territorial issues.
In an interview for UnHerd, Vance noted that although there is some progress in the negotiations, protracted disputes over territories, particularly Donbas, significantly hamper the process. “We will continue negotiations, and I believe there is a high likelihood of achieving peace. However, standing here today, I cannot be certain of this outcome,” he stated.
Vance also noted that the Russian side insists on control over Donbas, raising serious concerns in Kyiv. He emphasized that Ukraine perceives this as a significant security threat. “While Ukrainians privately admit that they may eventually lose Donbas, it is a matter of time. We are talking about a year or more. This territorial concession is a significant hindrance in the negotiations,” he added.
Negotiations involving Ukraine, the US, and European partners in Washington on December 20 confirmed the importance of strengthening common positions. The special representative of the Russian president Kirill Dmitriev visited the States to discuss the terms of a possible peace plan. According to the US envoy Steve Whitcroft, the Russian side supposedly seeks peace, but specific conditions remain undefined.
