Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Washington ambassador Olha Stefanishyna said any U.S.-backed peace agreement must explicitly bar future Russian aggression. Speaking after a press appearance in Budapest on April 29, 2025, she described talks that have progressed since a draft was circulated last month.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signaled Kyiv is close to accepting the proposal, saying only a few technical details remain. The original draft, produced by a U.S. special envoy together with a close adviser to Vladimir Putin, was widely seen as favoring Moscow. Since then the text has been revised to reflect input from Ukraine and European partners, Stefanishyna said, but she warned it is still uncertain whether Russia will agree to those changes.
In an interview with NPR’s Morning Edition host A Martinez, Stefanishyna outlined her role in the negotiations and emphasized that any sustainable settlement must include guarantees to prevent renewed aggression and protect Ukraine’s sovereignty. She stressed that revisions from Kyiv and its European allies aim to rebalance the draft so it cannot be used to legitimize further Russian encroachment.
Stefanishyna framed the process as ongoing: significant progress has been made, she said, but final acceptance depends on securing concrete safeguards and on Moscow’s willingness to commit to them. The interview explored whether the updated plan can deliver lasting peace for Ukraine and what steps remain before Kyiv could formally sign on.