Critical Issues Facing a Potential Russia-Ukraine Peace Agreement

As prospects for a peace deal to resolve the long-standing conflict between Russia and Ukraine draw nearer, several significant sticking points threaten to derail negotiations. President Donald Trump noted that one or two very thorny, very tough issues remain unresolved, primarily focused on territorial disputes and the fate of Europe's largest nuclear reactor.

Key to understanding the hurdles in the discussions is the control of Ukraine's industrial heartland, Donbas, which remains a contested area. While Putin demands total control, President Zelensky remains firm on the necessity of sovereignty for Ukrainian territories.

Moreover, the ongoing occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant raises additional questions regarding safety and territorial integrity, complicating the potential for a demilitarized zone as proposed by Ukraine.

A lack of trust permeates the conversations, with Zelensky openly expressing doubts about Putin's sincerity in the negotiation process. The stakes of these discussions are underscored by the potential financial reparations for war damages, which presents another contentious issue in the talks.

The diverging visions of peace, complicated by the demand for security guarantees and military presence from NATO countries, signify that while the hopeful outcome of peace exists, the path there remains fraught with challenges and uncertainties.