President Volodymyr Zelensky said a Christmas‑Day phone call with Jared Kushner and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff produced "new ideas" for a peace process linked to a 20‑point plan. The plan proposes security guarantees and reciprocal withdrawals in parts of Donetsk to create demilitarized zones; Russia says it is reviewing the proposal while Putin demands larger concessions. Diplomacy continues even as heavy fighting persists — recent Russian strikes hit Odesa, a major aerial attack killed civilians, and Kyiv reported a tactical withdrawal from Siversk.
Zelensky’s Christmas-Day Call With Kushner and US Envoy Yields New Ideas for 20-Point Peace Plan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a Christmas address that was released on December 24. - Presidential Office of Ukraine/dpa/AP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a "very good" conversation on Christmas Day with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son‑in‑law, as talks continued over the framework of a potential peace agreement.
“I thank them for the constructive approach, the intensive work, and the kind words and Christmas greetings to the Ukrainian people,” Zelensky said after the call. He added that the discussion covered “certain substantive details” and produced “some new ideas on how to bring about real peace.” Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and other Ukrainian diplomats joined the call; Umerov was scheduled to hold follow‑up talks with Kushner and Witkoff later the same day.
Outline of the Proposed Plan
In recent days Zelensky disclosed elements of a 20‑point plan he called a "foundational document" for ending the war. The plan emphasizes security guarantees from the United States and European partners and calls for reciprocal troop withdrawals in parts of Donetsk to create demilitarized zones along portions of current front lines.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is "currently analyzing the materials". President Vladimir Putin, however, has demanded that Ukraine effectively cede all of Donetsk for a settlement to be acceptable and warned that, if diplomatic talks fail, Russia would pursue its goals by military means.
Diplomacy Amid Continued Fighting
The diplomatic exchanges have continued even as Russia mounts lethal strikes on Ukrainian targets. Recent attacks concentrated on the port city of Odesa, causing power outages, damage to port infrastructure and civilian vessels. One of the largest aerial assaults this month killed at least three people and injured at least 17 others.
Kyiv reported a tactical withdrawal from the town of Siversk in eastern Ukraine as Russian forces pressed an active offensive. In response to Russian operations, Ukrainian security services have stepped up sabotage and long‑range drone strikes targeting Russian airfields, aircraft and submarines, including strikes in occupied Crimea and southern Russia.
Separately, a Russian general was killed in a car bombing in Moscow this week; Russian officials publicly blamed Ukraine for what they called an assassination of a senior military officer. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said negotiations between Washington and Moscow are making "slow but steady" progress and accused the European Union of policies that, in her view, escalate the conflict.
In his Christmas address, Pope Francis appealed for peace in Ukraine, urging that "the clamour of weapons cease" and calling for sincere, direct and respectful dialogue backed by the international community.
President Trump has asserted that an end to the war is closer than ever, but a formal, mutually acceptable agreement has not yet been achieved. Diplomats from all sides say talks are ongoing and that both substantive proposals and responses are still being reviewed.
