Trump on the state of negotiations and contacts with the American delegation
US President Donald Trump said that corruption problems in Ukraine remain and "do not help" the peace process. He told reporters aboard the presidential plane while commenting on work on a possible peace plan.
During the press exchange, Trump was asked whether he had discussed the results of the meeting between the Ukrainian and American delegations in Miami with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. The US president confirmed that he is in contact with them and is receiving updated information about the negotiations.
"Yes, I spoke with them, and they are fine. Ukraine has a few tough issues. They have a few difficult problems, but I think Russia would like this war to end, and I think Ukraine... I know that Ukraine would also like this to end."
– said US President Donald Trump.
Statement on corruption as a factor complicating the peace process
Separately, Trump mentioned the corruption situation in Ukraine, noting that it affects the course of the negotiations and creates additional difficulties.
"The corruption situation continues, which does not help."
– he said, responding to a question about obstacles to the peace talks.
When journalists asked whether corruption hinders reaching a peace agreement, Trump emphasized that he has been talking about this problem for a long time.
"I've been saying this for three years now, right? Haven't I been saying this for three years? I said it. So I was far ahead of the schedule."
– added the US president.
Optimism about reaching an agreement and the parties' reactions
Despite criticism, Trump said he sees a "good chance" of reaching a peace agreement that would concern ending the war.
After the talks in Miami, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that there is still "a lot of work" ahead on the details of the plan, but called the meeting constructive.
The head of the Ukrainian delegation, NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov, said that Kyiv's and Washington's positions coincide on the key objectives.
Context: changes in the Ukrainian delegation
The previous head of the Ukrainian delegation, former head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, resigned on November 28 after searches by anti-corruption agencies. No suspicion has been announced against him.
The current head of negotiations, Rustem Umerov, is listed as a witness in the "Mindich tapes" case.
