Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a press conference on the day of the European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium, December 18, 2025. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed openness to a US proposal for three-sided talks with the United States and Russia, provided it leads to increased prisoner exchanges and paves the way for meetings between national leaders. Zelenskiy emphasized that Ukraine would support the US-led peace talks, stating they are worth “fighting for”.
The Ukrainian president made these comments while responding to French President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion that Europe might need to re-engage in direct talks with Russia if US-led efforts fail. Zelenskiy stressed that Ukraine and its European allies should continue backing the current peace talks format.
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Zelenskiy highlighted that top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov had briefed him on the latest discussions with US negotiators. A new round of talks was scheduled for Saturday, focusing on Ukraine’s post-war recovery.
Lack Of Diplomatic Effort
Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev was also in Miami for talks with US officials, indicating intensified diplomatic efforts to end the almost four-year-old war in Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia have not negotiated face-to-face since July, but US-backed shuttle diplomacy has increased in recent weeks.
Zelenskiy reiterated Ukraine’s stance on territorial control, stating, “For me, the fair version is we stand where we are now standing.” He emphasized that Ukrainian authorities must retain control over the part of Donbas they currently control.
The Ukrainian president also addressed a US proposal to create a “free economic zone” in eastern Ukraine, saying it’s a matter “to be decided by the people of Ukraine”. Zelenskiy stressed careful consideration of every point to achieve stable peace and security guarantees.
The US proposal involves talks at the national security advisers’ level, with Zelenskiy saying, “If such a meeting could be held now to allow for swaps of prisoners of war or if a meeting of national security advisers achieves agreement on a leaders’ meeting…I cannot be opposed”.
Zelenskiy acknowledged the possibility of exploring other options if the current talks don’t yield results, saying, “If it doesn’t work out, we will all think about other options”.
The Ukrainian president’s comments come amid recent prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia, with over 200 soldiers exchanged in a UAE-brokered deal.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio participated in trilateral meetings with Turkish and Ukrainian officials, while US and Russian officials held working-level discussions.
The Kremlin has expressed willingness to continue direct talks with Ukraine, with Putin reportedly closely following updates from the negotiations.
Zelenskiy dismissed Russia’s negotiation team as “decorative,” claiming they lack decision-making power, while Russia’s Medinsky said they have the authority to make decisions.
The talks aim to achieve a ceasefire and address Ukraine’s post-war recovery, but significant challenges remain in reaching a peace settlement.
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