Moscow, Russia – Russian Security Council Vice President Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday accused European countries of obstructing US efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
Medvedev said in a post on his official Telegram channel: “The Europeans are trying to obstruct American attempts to help resolve the Ukrainian conflict”, accusing Ukraine of using “killers from Colombian and Mexican gangs” and sending them to the battlefront with Russia.
US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are expected to meet in Alaska on August 15. NBC News also reported, citing sources, that the US administration may invite the Ukrainian president to attend the Alaska summit.
Press reports revealed that the two leaders will discuss resolving the land exchange between Russia and Ukraine, to end the war that has been raging since February 2022.
Russian proposal to stop the war
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Russian president presented the US administration with a proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine in exchange for granting him an area in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
However, the Ukrainian president has consistently rejected any precondition that includes giving up sovereign territory before a complete and unconditional ceasefire.
Zelensky said on Sunday that Kiev “fully appreciates and supports” the joint statement of European leaders on achieving peace in Ukraine while protecting Ukrainian and European interests.
European welcome
The leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Britain, Finland and the European Commission on Saturday welcomed Trump’s efforts to end the war, but stressed the need to pressure Russia and provide security guarantees to Kiev.
Zelensky wrote on X: “The end of the war must be just and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for peace in Ukraine, which is to defend the vital security interests of our European country”.
