Zelensky Expresses Optimism Regarding US Talks on Revised 20-Point Peace Blueprint

In December 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered a favorable assessment of a recent telephone conversation with American envoys. This dialogue formed part of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia. The head of state characterized the day as highly productive for Ukrainian diplomacy, acknowledging tangible progress while simultaneously stressing the need to continue working through several sensitive issues. President Zelensky emphasized a shared understanding between the Ukrainian team and their American counterparts regarding the implementation pathways for the proposed peace initiatives.

Rustem Umerov, a central figure in these negotiations, will continue the dialogue with the American side. Umerov was appointed Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine via Decree No. 496/2025, issued on July 18, 2025. Prior to July 2025, Umerov served as Ukraine’s Minister of Defence and previously led the Ukrainian delegation during earlier negotiation rounds conducted with Moscow.

This latest exchange followed President Zelensky’s public disclosure of the details of a newly revised 20-point peace plan. This blueprint was agreed upon with American and Ukrainian envoys the previous week in Florida. The updated document represents a refinement of an initial 28-point draft, which had previously been noted for containing terms that were overly accommodating to Russian demands made prior to February 2022. Zelensky dubbed this revised document the “foundational document for ending the war.”

A key provision within the updated plan involves the de facto freezing of the current frontline, effectively cementing military positions as they stand on the date of signing across the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Furthermore, the plan proposes the establishment of “free economic zones” in areas where troops are withdrawn, particularly within the Donbas. This concept is a compromise solution initially put forward by the United States. These zones are intended to be backed by robust security guarantees emanating from the United States, NATO member states, and various European nations, including a mechanism for coordinated military response should new Russian aggression occur.

Back in October 2025, Ukraine welcomed a notable shift in rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who had expressed optimism about the possibility of fully restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Despite the forward momentum, several critical sticking points remain unresolved. These include, most notably, the issue of control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the precise delineation of the status of the Donbas region.

Moscow has confirmed that it is currently analyzing the proposals brought back by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev following his meetings with American officials in Florida. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed on December 24 that Dmitriev had briefed the President on the outcomes of these consultations. Amidst these diplomatic maneuvers, the operational situation along the contact line remains tense. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) data from mid-December 2025, Russian forces continued offensive operations near Kupyansk and registered gains in the direction of Sloviansk-Lyman.

The peace framework also addresses stipulations concerning the size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, suggesting a limit of 800,000 personnel during peacetime, alongside maintaining Ukraine’s non-nuclear status. Reports indicate that the Russian side is insisting on guarantees against further NATO expansion and the maintenance of Ukraine’s neutral status, even if it joins the European Union. Additionally, Moscow demands clarity regarding the lifting of sanctions and the disposition of frozen assets. Should the agreement be accepted, it is intended to be legally binding and overseen by a Peace Council chaired by President Trump.