Lead
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday described an almost one-hour conversation with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as productive, saying it produced “new ideas” on formats, meetings and timing that could bring peace closer. The call followed an updated 20-point plan the Ukrainian and US teams agreed in Florida. Zelensky signalled continued diplomacy while confirming sensitive issues remain unresolved and that Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, will press on with talks. Fighting persisted on the ground even as the diplomatic work advanced.
Key Takeaways
- The phone call between Zelensky and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner lasted nearly one hour and produced what Zelensky called “new ideas” on how to move toward peace.
- An updated 20-point peace plan — presented after US-Ukrainian meetings in Florida — is being discussed as a framework for negotiations.
- The revised proposal reportedly includes the possible withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from parts of the east, replacement by a demilitarised zone, and security guarantees from the US, NATO and European partners.
- Ukraine emphasises any areas vacated by its forces would still need to be policed by Ukrainian authorities; Moscow controls about 75% of Donetsk and roughly 99% of Luhansk.
- Zelensky asked envoys to pass Christmas greetings to former US President Donald Trump and his family, reflecting US political actors’ continued involvement in shuttle diplomacy.
- The Kremlin said it is reviewing proposals brought back from the US by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and will decide next steps based on the head of state’s instructions.
- On the battlefield, Ukraine reported a cruise-missile strike on the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Rostov; Russia reported taking the settlement of Sviato-Pokrovske and Ukrainian forces withdrew from Siversk.
Background
The Russia-Ukraine war began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 and has since produced sustained diplomatic and military pressure across multiple fronts. From early stages, proposals to end the conflict have included territorial arrangements, security guarantees and mechanisms to prevent renewed aggression; those elements remain the core of negotiations. A draft produced earlier by private envoy Steve Witkoff drew criticism for appearing to align with pre-invasion Russian demands, prompting Kyiv and Western partners to rework the text. The updated 20-point package presented in Florida aims to strike a middle path by adding external security guarantees while proposing local arrangements in contested areas.
Donetsk and Luhansk — the two provinces commonly referenced as the Donbas — have been the centrepiece of territorial debate. Moscow controls the majority of both provinces by land area: about 75% of Donetsk and nearly 99% of Luhansk, creating difficult on-the-ground realities for any negotiated settlement. Kyiv has repeatedly rejected outright territorial concessions as a basis for peace, insisting that any arrangement must include binding security guarantees and preserve Ukraine’s sovereign policing authority in vacated zones. Meanwhile, US political figures and private envoys have engaged both capitals in a bid to fashion agreement terms acceptable to all sides.
Main Event
Zelensky characterised Thursday’s call with Witkoff and Kushner as an “active day” of diplomacy that produced fresh concepts on formats, meetings and timing. He said the discussion built on the 20-point plan the Ukrainian and American teams agreed in Florida, and that the ideas discussed could move a real peace closer. Zelensky acknowledged sensitive issues remain unresolved but expressed confidence that joint work with the American team can place specific arrangements into practice. He also made a personal request that envoys relay Christmas greetings to former President Trump and his family, illustrating the continuing role of influential US intermediaries.
The updated plan reportedly contemplates a potential Ukrainian troop withdrawal from some eastern areas, to be replaced by a demilitarised zone and accompanied by international security guarantees. Those guarantees, Zelensky said, would involve coordinated military responses from the US, NATO and European states if Russia violated terms. For Donetsk specifically, Kyiv floated a “free economic zone” as one option for de-escalation while maintaining that Ukraine must retain policing authority in any territory it vacates. Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s chief negotiator and top security official, was named as the lead to continue detailed discussions with the American team.
Moscow has not committed to any agreement; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said officials are analysing proposals that Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev brought back from the US and will take decisions based on the president’s instructions. On the ground, fighting continued: Ukrainian forces reported a targeted strike on the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Rostov — important for Russian fuel supplies — while Russia said it had taken Sviato-Pokrovske and Ukraine confirmed a withdrawal from Siversk. Those tactical shifts affect bargaining leverage for both sides.
Analysis & Implications
If the 20-point framework and ideas raised in the recent talks are stitched into a credible agreement, the role of external security guarantees will be decisive. Binding commitments from the US, NATO and European states could deter renewed Russian aggression, but would require precise legal and operational formulations that Moscow must accept — a high bar given current stances. Guarantees that include a coordinated military response carry political risks for guarantors, notably the prospect of escalation or the obligation to act in a contested theatre.
The proposal to replace frontline Ukrainian positions with demilitarised zones and free economic zones raises practical and sovereignty questions. Kyiv’s insistence on maintaining policing rights in vacated areas is aimed at preserving core state functions, but enforcing such arrangements where Russian forces already hold territorial control would be complex. For residents in those territories, any shift in administration or security arrangements could produce displacement, legal uncertainty and economic disruption, requiring international monitoring and assistance mechanisms.
Politically, US private envoys and former administration figures participating in talks inject both leverage and volatility into negotiations. Their connections can open channels to Moscow and Kyiv, but the involvement of partisan US actors complicates perceptions of neutrality — especially given reported pressure on Zelensky to accept concessions on Donbas. For Kyiv, balancing urgent battlefield needs with long-term sovereignty and security guarantees will define its negotiating posture and domestic political resilience.
Comparison & Data
| Territory | Approx. Russian control | Recent tactical notes |
|---|---|---|
| Donetsk region | About 75% | Fighting near Siversk; Sviato-Pokrovske reported captured by Russia |
| Luhansk region | About 99% | Mostly under Russian control since earlier 2022 advances |
| Rostov region (Novoshakhtinsk) | N/A | Site of a reported Ukrainian cruise-missile strike on a key refinery |
The table summarizes territorial control estimates cited by Ukrainian and international reporting and notes recent battlefield events that shape negotiating leverage. Percentages reflect control by area rather than population and can shift with frontline changes; those figures are central to any territorial proposals in the 20-point plan. Tactical developments — such as attacks on logistics facilities like refineries — influence the operational capacity of forces and therefore the urgency of diplomatic offers from all sides.
Reactions & Quotes
Zelensky framed the call as constructive but cautioned on unresolved elements before any deal is finalised. The following short statements capture official tones and agency reactions.
“The call yielded new ideas in terms of formats, meetings, and timing on how to bring a real peace closer.”
Volodymyr Zelensky
This remark was offered after the nearly hour-long conversation and follows the presentation of the updated 20-point plan; Zelensky used the phrase to signal cautious optimism while noting remaining sensitive issues.
“We are examining this material, and depending on the decisions made by the head of state, we will continue our communication with the Americans.”
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman
Peskov’s comment indicates Moscow is studying documents brought back by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev but has not committed to substantive positions or concessions.
Unconfirmed
- The precise text and full content of the updated 20-point plan have not been publicly released in full; details circulating remain partial.
- It is unconfirmed whether Moscow would accept arrangements that include US/NATO security guarantees or how Russia would respond to enforcement mechanisms.
- The operational model for how Ukraine would police any areas it withdraws from — including timelines and international oversight — has not been specified.
- Reports of explicit US pressure for full cession of Donbas to Russia are reported in political coverage but lack a single authoritative public source confirming a definitive demand.
Bottom Line
The recent discussions between President Zelensky and US envoys signal incremental diplomatic movement: fresh ideas are on the table and a revised 20-point plan is under active negotiation. However, the most difficult trade-offs remain unresolved — chiefly territorial control in the Donbas, the legal form of security guarantees, and Moscow’s willingness to accept external enforcement mechanisms.
Expect diplomacy to continue in parallel with battlefield operations: tactical gains or losses over coming weeks will strongly affect negotiating leverage. Key items to watch are whether Kyiv secures iron-clad, actionable guarantees from Western partners and whether Moscow provides concrete acceptance of any settlement architecture; without clarity on those, any agreement risks being fragile.