A U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity told CBS on Tuesday that the Ukrainian government “has agreed to a peace deal” brokered by the Trump administration. The information was confirmed by Ukraine’s national security adviser, Rustem Umerov. The American and Ukrainian officials said a common understanding had been reached on the proposal, with the final details still to be worked out.
Umerov said he was optimistic that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could travel to Washington before the end of November to finalize the deal. Several American and Ukrainian officials had reportedly previously discussed a possible visit to the United States by Zelensky this week.
"The Ukrainians have agreed to the peace agreement. There are still some minor details to work out, but they have agreed to a peace agreement," the US official told CBS News.
Conveyor belt negotiations
The news came as US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll was in Abu Dhabi to meet with Russian officials, other sources quoted by US journalists said. There has been no immediate reaction from Russia.
On Tuesday, during a press conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that while Russia “appreciates the US position, which takes the initiative in resolving the Ukrainian conflict,” Moscow “operates professionally, without disclosing information before formal agreements are reached.” The Russian diplomat also said that “Russia expects the US to inform it about the results of consultations with Ukraine and Europe in the near future.”
Meanwhile, talks between the Russians and Americans in Abu Dhabi are continuing. A US military official in Abu Dhabi told CBS News that Driscoll has spent hours negotiating with Russian representatives.
"We remain very optimistic. Secretary Driscoll is optimistic. We hope to get feedback from the Russians soon. Things are moving quickly," the official said.
It is not known who else is part of the US delegation in Abu Dhabi. There is also a Ukrainian delegation in the area who was in contact with Driscoll and his team.
Russia could reject the plan
Analysts say it is unlikely that Russia will accept the changes that the US and Ukraine are negotiating in the new peace plan to end the war, even though US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he is meeting with a Russian delegation.
US and Ukrainian negotiators have announced progress in amending the US-led 28-point draft peace plan to make it more acceptable to Kiev, but this will likely make it unacceptable to Russia, Russian observers say.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Russia is waiting to see a new, modified version of the controversial plan for Ukraine.
