UPDATE: In a significant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced today that negotiators are actively grappling with Russian demands over territorial claims during U.S.-led peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia. Key areas of contention include Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region and the strategically vital Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, one of the world’s largest atomic facilities.
During an urgent press conference in Kyiv, Zelenskyy revealed that discussions are heating up as he prepares to meet with leaders from approximately 30 countries. He emphasized the importance of securing fair terms for Ukraine to halt nearly four years of conflict.
On December 10, 2025, Ukraine submitted a comprehensive 20-point plan to the U.S., with each point potentially supported by detailed documentation outlining settlement terms. “We are grateful that the U.S. is working with us and trying to take a balanced position,” Zelenskyy stated. “But at this moment, it is still difficult to say what the final documents will look like.”
Russia has intensified its efforts to seize complete control over the Donetsk and neighboring Luhansk regions, crucial parts of Ukraine’s Donbas industrial region. Zelenskyy firmly rejected any notion of surrendering these territories, suggesting that a fair outcome would involve both sides maintaining their current positions along the contact line.
U.S. negotiators have introduced the idea of establishing a “free economic zone” in the Donbas, which Russian officials have termed a “demilitarized zone.” However, Zelenskyy clarified that if Ukrainian forces were to withdraw from Donetsk, Russian troops should follow suit by the same distance. Key questions remain unanswered, including oversight of the Donbas region.
Another critical issue is the future of the Zaporizhzhia plant. Russia insists on retaining control, while Ukraine vehemently opposes this stance. American negotiators have proposed a cooperative management format, and discussions are ongoing about its feasibility.
The current talks are taking place under heightened urgency, as leaders from Germany, Britain, and France participate in a video link meeting dubbed the “Coalition of the Willing.” This coalition seeks to steer negotiations in a direction that safeguards both Ukraine’s interests and European security amidst changing geopolitical dynamics.
Zelenskyy’s remarks indicate that the discussions were hastily organized in response to Donald Trump‘s escalating pressure for a swift resolution. Trump has publicly criticized Zelenskyy and sought to improve U.S.-Russia relations, complicating the negotiation landscape.
In a notable move, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron have proposed finalizing peace proposals with U.S. officials over the weekend, with potential talks scheduled in Berlin next week.
The urgency of these negotiations is underscored by ongoing military activities. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reported that Russia has launched over 46,000 drones and missiles against Ukraine this year alone, raising alarms about regional security.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have recently conducted significant drone strikes, including an unprecedented attack on a Russian oil rig in the Caspian Sea. This offensive has disrupted operations at over 20 wells, showcasing Ukraine’s escalating military capabilities.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides preparing for further developments. As the U.S. and its allies push for a resolution, the stakes are higher than ever, with the potential for wider implications on European security and stability.
As peace talks continue, the international community will be closely watching for updates, with the next crucial discussions expected as early as next week.
