Citing eight people familiar with the talks, the FT said Washington also signaled it might provide more weapons to Ukraine during peacetime if Ukrainian forces withdrew from the portions of Donbas still under their control.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that a US document outlining security guarantees was "100-percent ready," and Kyiv was now awaiting a time and place to sign.
Zelensky has consistently stated that any peace deal must guarantee Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
However, a senior Ukrainian official told the FT there is growing doubt in Kyiv over Washington’s commitment, saying the United States has repeatedly delayed signing the agreement.
Ukraine seeks confirmation of guarantees before surrendering any territory, but according to the report, Washington believes Kyiv must forgo Donbas in order to end the war and avoid putting pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to back down from that demand.
White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly denied the claims.
"This is completely false—the only role of the United States in the peace process is to bring both sides closer to an agreement," she said, as cited by the FT.
Another source familiar with the US position said the administration is “not trying to force Ukraine into any territorial concessions,” but that any guarantees would depend on both parties reaching a peace deal.
Russia has repeatedly stated that progress in negotiations hinges on Ukraine surrendering the remainder of the Donetsk region currently under Kyiv’s control—about 25 to 30 percent, including key cities such as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, which Ukraine views as critical defensive positions.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP