U.S.-Ukraine talks inch forward, land remains sticking point

The United States and Ukraine have narrowed differences on a proposed framework to end nearly four years of war with Russia, but sharp divisions remain over the future of eastern Ukrainian territory and control of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, according to Arab News via AP on December 24.

Zelensky’s comments came as Washington presented a 20-point plan to Russian negotiators after days of intensive talks in Florida. At the same time, the Ukrainian president called for a meeting with U.S. counterpart Donald Trump to discuss what he described as “sensitive issues” as negotiators moved closer to a final draft of a peace plan. Moscow is expected to deliver its response on December 24.

The draft proposal, which Zelensky said reflects Ukraine’s priorities, combines political, security and economic provisions aimed at stabilising the country while laying the groundwork for reconstruction. However, negotiations remain bogged down by disputes over the Donbas region, where Russia controls most of Luhansk and around 70 percent of Donetsk and continues to press for Ukraine to cede remaining territory.

At the centre of the talks is a U.S.-backed effort to find a compromise through the creation of demilitarised or free economic zones along the front line, an idea Ukraine views cautiously and says must be subject to public approval and international guarantees.

“We did not reach a consensus with the American side on the territory of the Donetsk region and on the ZNPP,” Zelensky said. “But we have significantly brought most of the positions closer together. In principle, all other consensus in this agreement has been found between us and them.”

Zelensky has previously criticised earlier U.S. proposals to end the war. On November 19, reports emerged that Washington and Moscow had discussed a draft agreement without Ukraine’s direct involvement, prompting backlash from U.S. lawmakers, European officials and Ukrainians, who said it favoured Russia and lacked clear guarantees.

According to reports, Trump then accused Ukraine of showing “zero gratitude” for his efforts to bring an end to the war with Russia.

Points addressing frontline territories and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are expected to be among the most difficult for negotiators to resolve. Zelensky said Washington was attempting to reconcile Kyiv’s refusal to relinquish territory with Russian demands and broader security concerns.

“We are in a situation where the Russians want us to leave the Donetsk region, and the Americans are trying to find a way so that it is ‘not a way out’ — because we are against leaving — they want to find a demilitarized zone or a free economic zone in this,” he said.

Under the proposal, the existing contact line across five regions would be frozen once an agreement is signed, with international forces deployed to oversee compliance. Zelensky said Ukraine’s lack of trust in Russia made outside guarantees essential.

“Since there is no faith in the Russians… international forces should be there to guarantee that no one will enter there under any guise,” he continued.

Management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains unresolved. The United States has proposed a three-way operating consortium, a structure Zelensky criticised as politically and commercially untenable.

“The USA is offering 33 percent for 33 percent for 33 percent,” he said, adding that Ukraine instead favours a joint venture with Washington alone.

The renewed diplomatic push comes as Ukraine faces heightened scrutiny over corruption allegations involving figures linked to Zelensky’s inner circle, an issue that has drawn international and domestic criticism at a sensitive moment for Kyiv.

Arab News via AP, Maghrebi, Al Jazeera plus agencies, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, The National