Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, held a “very good” discussion with United States special envoy, Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner on Christmas Day, as talks over a potential peace settlement continued.
“I thank them for the constructive approach, the intensive work, and the kind words and Christmas greetings to the Ukrainian people,” Zelensky said in a statement.
The conversation touched on “certain substantive details” of the ongoing peace negotiations, producing “some new ideas on how to bring about real peace,” the Ukrainian leader added.
Zelensky was joined on the call by other officials, including Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov.
Umerov is scheduled to hold further discussions with Kushner and Witkoff later on Thursday, Zelensky noted.
“We believe this is the right approach – not to lose a single day or a single opportunity that can bring the result closer. May today’s conversation become another step toward peace,” he said.
At a press briefing in Moscow earlier on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described progress in the negotiation process with the United States as “slow but steady.” She accused the European Union of remaining committed to “escalating the conflict and prolonging hostilities.”
In his Christmas Day address, Pope Leo also called for peace in Ukraine.
“May the clamour of weapons cease and may the parties involved with the support and commitment of the international community find the courage to engage in sincere, direct, and respectful dialogue,” the Pope said.
The Trump administration’s peace initiative has seen gradual advances in recent weeks.
Over the weekend, a Ukrainian delegation led by Umerov and Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev held separate meetings with American officials in what Witkoff described as “constructive and productive” talks.
On Tuesday, Zelensky outlined a new 20-point plan, describing it as “a foundational document on ending the war, a political document between us, America, Europe, and the Russians.”
He also addressed security guarantees involving Ukraine, the United States, and European nations, which would form a core part of any peace agreement with Russia.
The proposal calls for Ukrainian forces to pull back from certain areas in Donetsk, with Russia reciprocating by withdrawing troops in proportion to Ukrainian redeployments, effectively creating a demilitarized zone along some current front lines.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is “currently analyzing the materials” of Zelensky’s plan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine would need to cede all of Donetsk for a peace settlement to succeed.
“We would prefer to do this, and eliminate the root causes of the conflict, through diplomacy,” Putin said at the Russian Defense Ministry’s annual meeting.
“If the opposing country and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive discussions, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands through military means,” he added.
Trump has suggested that an end to the war may be closer than ever, though a formal, mutually agreed deal has not yet been finalized.
The diplomatic talks come as Russia continues to target Ukrainian cities with lethal strikes. Recent attacks have focused on Odesa, the country’s strategic Black Sea port, resulting in power outages and damage to port infrastructure and civilian vessels.
One of Russia’s largest aerial attacks this month occurred on Tuesday, killing at least three people and injuring 17 others. Ukrainian forces also withdrew from Siversk in eastern Ukraine amid ongoing Russian offensives.
In response, Ukrainian security services have intensified drone and sabotage operations against Russian aircraft and submarines, including long-range strikes on airfields in occupied Crimea and southern Russia.
Ahead of Christmas, Zelensky warned that Kyiv’s military remained on high alert for possible attacks and called for intelligence services to “significantly step up their work.”
“We understand that precisely on these days they may, this is in their nature, carry out massive strikes on Christmas,” he said on X. Officials held a meeting focused on protecting Ukrainian towns from December 23 through 25.
Meanwhile, a Russian general was killed in a car bombing in Moscow this week, with authorities attributing the attack to Ukraine, marking another apparent assassination of a senior military officer.
