US President’s special envoy Steve Whitkopf might meet with security advisors from the “E3” nations to deliberate on Ukraine before the European leaders’ gathering on December 15th in Berlin, reports Kyiv Post.
Previously, Reuters agency conveyed, citing two EU diplomats, that leaders of European states intend to convene on December 15th in Berlin to examine a peace settlement roadmap for Ukraine.
“Whitkopf is anticipated to convene with security advisors of the “E3″ states, a meeting characterized by diplomats as a ‘final opportunity for connection’ prior to Berlin,” the publication writes.
As Kyiv Post notes, it remains unknown whether a US delegation will attend the Berlin assembly. According to American and European officials, US participation entirely hinges on whether talks between the “E3” countries and Ukraine advance this weekend concerning territory and security.
“Without exaggeration, the entire framework of Western accord depends on this weekend… If the US stays out of the discussions, Europe will lose a unified perspective, and Ukraine will lose leverage,” the publication quotes an unnamed Western official.
Earlier, the Axios portal, referencing sources, reported that high-ranking US officials are expected to meet on Saturday in Paris with representatives from Ukraine, France, Germany, and the UK to discuss US President Donald Trump’s blueprint for resolving the Ukrainian crisis.
White House press secretary Caroline Levitt previously stated that Trump is tired of “meetings just for the sake of meetings” on the Ukraine settlement; he desires action. Trump himself indicated that US representatives would participate in Saturday’s European assembly only if they see a chance for success, to avoid wasting time.
The US administration previously announced the formulation of a plan for the Ukrainian settlement. The Kremlin communicated that Russia remains receptive to negotiations and stands by the platform for discussions in Anchorage.
On December 2nd, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted US President’s special envoy Steve Whitkopf and the American leader’s son-in-law, Affinity Partners founder Jared Kushner, in the Kremlin. The visit by US representatives to Russia was connected to the process of discussing the US peace plan for Ukraine. As Putin stated, the American side divided the 27 points into four packages and proposed discussing them separately.
Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov described the Kremlin talks as very substantive, adding that contacts between Russia and the US will continue. Ushakov also noted that the successes of the Russian army on the battlefield positively impacted the course and nature of the talks.
Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov also asserted that the Kyiv regime must make a decision and start negotiating; the room for Kyiv’s independent decision-making is shrinking amid the offensive actions of the Russian Armed Forces, and this is precisely coercing the regime in Kyiv toward a peaceful resolution; further continuation for Kyiv is pointless and perilous.
About the Author
