Zelenskyy Expresses Optimism After ‘Very Good’ Christmas Talks with U.S. Envoys on Ukraine Peace
BERLIN — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conveyed a cautiously hopeful message on Christmas Day following discussions with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and former White House adviser Jared Kushner. The talks, described by Zelenskyy as “very good,” focused on advancing peace negotiations aimed at ending the nearly four-year conflict with Russia.
In a message posted on X, Zelenskyy thanked the envoys for their “intensive work” and “constructive approach,” emphasizing that efforts continue around the clock to bring a durable resolution to the war. The Ukrainian leader revealed that the draft peace framework has been streamlined from 28 points to 20, incorporating proposed security guarantees involving Ukraine, European allies, and the United States, alongside an initial blueprint for Ukraine’s post-war recovery.
These developments come after multiple meetings in Miami between Ukrainian officials and the U.S. delegation in recent weeks. Zelenskyy noted that a separate document outlining bilateral security guarantees with the United States is part of the framework and would likely require congressional review. Despite progress, he acknowledged that significant differences remain, with both Kyiv and Moscow holding firm to positions that complicate negotiations.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that talks between Washington and Moscow are moving forward gradually but accused certain Western European nations of attempting to undermine the process. She described the negotiations as showing “slow but steady progress,” though accompanied by “extremely harmful and even malicious attempts” to derail diplomatic efforts, according to Russia’s state-run Tass news agency.
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Russia’s objectives in Ukraine remain unchanged and suggested they would be achieved either through diplomacy or continued military action if talks fail. This stance underscores the fragility of the peace process even as diplomatic channels remain open.
The U.S. has played a central role in facilitating these talks, with the involvement of high-profile envoys reflecting Washington’s commitment to seeking a resolution. The U.S. Department of State continues to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and security while encouraging diplomatic solutions.
Meanwhile, European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have engaged in parallel discussions to bolster the peace framework and coordinate security guarantees. The European Council has repeatedly emphasized the importance of a negotiated settlement that respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
As the conflict enters its fifth year, the humanitarian toll remains severe. Paramedics continue to treat civilians wounded in attacks across eastern Ukraine, highlighting the urgent need for a lasting peace. The United Nations has called for renewed global efforts to support diplomatic initiatives and alleviate suffering.
While the path to peace remains complex and fraught with challenges, Zelenskyy’s Christmas Day remarks signal a willingness to engage constructively with U.S. partners. The ongoing talks, though tentative, represent a critical opportunity to end a brutal war that has reshaped security dynamics in Europe and beyond.
For now, the international community watches closely as negotiators work to transform dialogue into concrete agreements that can withstand the pressures of geopolitics and conflict on the ground.
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