🧠 Current Status of the Peace Talks

1. Ukraine’s New Peace Proposal

Ukraine has unveiled a revised 20-point peace plan developed together with the United States as a potential framework to end the nearly four-year war with Russia.
This plan includes:

• A legally binding non-aggression pact with Russia
• Security guarantees from the U.S. and European partners
• Ukraine maintaining a sizeable military force
• Provisions for economic aid, reconstruction and trade agreements
• Demilitarized zones and freedom of navigation clauses
• Intended oversight by a Peace Council chaired by U.S. leadership
  Key disputes remain over territorial control and the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

The plan reflects negotiations with Washington and aligns more with U.S. positions than earlier drafts, though Moscow’s response is still pending.

2. Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has described recent talks involving Ukrainian and European officials as “productive and constructive,” focusing on ending hostilities, stabilizing Ukraine, and setting up long-term security arrangements.

European support continues in parallel, with statements from EU leaders emphasizing the need to back Ukraine’s security and reconstruction while working toward a negotiated end to the conflict.

⚔️ Despite Talks, the Conflict Continues

Even while negotiations proceed:

• Russian military operations remain active. Recent air and missile attacks have caused civilian casualties and damaged critical infrastructure such as Ukraine’s energy grid, highlighting that fighting continues alongside diplomacy.

This underscores a key reality: talks and combat operations are happening simultaneously, and progress toward peace is fragile.

🧩 Core Issues in the Negotiations

✔ Territorial Disputes

• Ukraine insists on sovereignty and refuses to cede territories it currently controls.
• Russia has pressed for recognition of territorial claims and concessions, which Kyiv strongly rejects.

✔ Security Guarantees

Ukraine wants legal and binding security assurances similar to NATO-style protections from the U.S. and Europe.

✔ Nuclear Facility Control

The future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is a major sticking point, with disagreements over who would oversee and manage it.

✔ Demilitarized Zones

Part of the new proposal includes creating demilitarized or free economic zones in contested eastern regions, potentially approved by Ukrainian referenda.

🔎 Why Talks Are Difficult

• Deep mistrust: Ukraine and Russia have fundamentally different war aims; Moscow’s maximalist demands often clash with Kyiv’s insistence on sovereignty.
• International dynamics: U.S. and European involvement boosts Ukraine’s negotiating position but complicates direct negotiations with Russia.
• Domestic politics: Ukrainians strongly oppose peace terms that might compromise sovereignty, especially territorial concessions.

🧠 Where Things Stand (Late Dec 2025)

Peace talks are active but incomplete.
A new peace framework exists and has been shared with Russia, but no final agreement has been reached. Territorial control, security guarantees, and post-war governance remain unresolved. Both sides — backed by external partners — continue dialogue, but trust and fundamental differences make a breakthrough elusive.

In Summary

✔ A new 20-point peace proposal with U.S. support has been formally introduced.
✔ Talks involving Ukraine, the U.S., and European allies are ongoing.
✔ Russia’s full acceptance of the plan has not been confirmed, and key issues remain.
✔ Fighting on the ground continues even as leaders pursue diplomacy.