Zelensky Outlines Key Peace Terms Amid Intensifying Diplomatic Push and Persistent Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined Kyiv’s core demands in ongoing peace negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia, emphasizing the nation’s sovereignty and robust security assurances. These diplomatic efforts are unfolding as hostilities persist, marked by a recent deadly missile strike in Dnipro.

“The territorial issue is the most difficult,” President Zelensky stated, referring to Russia’s persistent demands for Ukraine to cede parts of the eastern Donbas region, a concession Kyiv unequivocally rejects. His remarks followed a meeting in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, which also included a teleconference with other European leaders such as those from the UK, Germany, Poland, and Italy.

Simultaneously, Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators concluded two days of discussions in Florida, focused on revising a proposed peace framework. While the White House expressed optimism, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noting the administration “feels very optimistic” about a potential deal, President Zelensky maintained a more guarded tone. He described the talks as “very constructive” on X, but acknowledged “some tough issues that still have to be worked through.”

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who participated in the Florida meetings, is now en route to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. He will be joined by President Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner. Millenium TV has learned Witkoff held discussions with President Zelensky, President Macron, Ukrainian chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and is expected to relay the outcomes of these conversations to the Russian leader.

Last week, President Putin mentioned that the Americans had presented Russia with a draft peace plan, which he believed could form the “basis” for a future agreement. However, the initial US-Russia proposal, circulated in November, caused considerable alarm in Kyiv and across Europe. It reportedly favored Moscow’s demands, and controversially sought to dictate the investment of several billion dollars in frozen Russian assets held in European financial institutions, alongside terms for Kyiv’s access to EU markets.

President Macron, however, clarified that there is currently “no finalised peace plan to speak of.” He stressed that any such proposal must be developed with the full involvement of both Ukraine and Europe. European leaders have since actively sought a seat at the negotiating table, urging the U.S. to include them in drafting any future agreement. Macron underscored that the territorial question could “only be finalised by President Zelensky” and emphasized that issues concerning frozen Russian assets, security guarantees, and EU accession require the direct participation of European nations. He also praised efforts by Donald Trump’s administration to end the conflict, which began in 2014 with Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and was followed by its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. “Now we are waiting the Russian answer: are they ready to stop fighting and make peace? I want to point out that for three, four times the Russians have said no,” he added. “So they don’t seem in a rush.”

Despite diplomatic efforts, Moscow has repeatedly engaged with U.S. attempts to broker an end to the war or discuss a ceasefire throughout the year. However, several of Russia’s demands directly challenge Ukraine’s sovereignty and are deemed unacceptable by Kyiv. While territorial integrity remains a primary obstacle, the question of security guarantees for Kyiv has also proven contentious. Ukraine and its European allies are advocating for robust security assurances, such as NATO membership, to prevent future aggression. This is vehemently opposed by Russia, and Donald Trump has also indicated he would rule out Ukraine joining the military alliance.

Away from the diplomatic discussions, the war persists. On Monday morning, a Russian missile attack in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro resulted in four fatalities and injured 40, according to local authorities. Unconfirmed reports suggest a ballistic missile was used in the strike. Videos shared online depicted a significant explosion near a motorway, with local media indicating an office block, vehicles, and shops were hit or severely damaged.

“We are trying to end this war with all our might and to end this war in a dignified manner,” President Zelensky affirmed in Paris. He added, “Russia must end this war that it started, it is its war and it is up to it to put an end to it.” This latest diplomatic push coincides with President Zelensky navigating a serious corruption scandal. His chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, who had also led Ukraine’s peace talks delegation, resigned Friday after anti-corruption investigators raided his residence, although he has not been accused of wrongdoing. Two cabinet ministers have also been dismissed. On Sunday, former President Trump remarked that Ukraine faced “some difficult little problems,” referencing the scandal, and reiterated his belief that both Russia and Ukraine wish for the war to conclude.