as Ukraine enters its third year fending off a full-scale Russian invasion, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict are intensifying, though significant hurdles remain. Following the revelation of a new 20-point peace plan by Ukrainian President Volodymyr zelenskyy, analysts suggest Moscow will likely face increasing pressure to compromise on key demands amid sustained battlefield losses [[1]]. The United States, under the Trump administration, is reportedly aiming for a resolution within 90 days, while navigating Russia’s insistence on provisions mirroring its original, maximalist war aims.
Russia will likely need to compromise on long-held demands as peace negotiations with Ukraine progress, according to analysts. The shift comes as Russian forces sustain significant losses in exchange for limited territorial gains, diminishing incentives to continue the conflict.
The assessment follows a statement from U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker, who indicated “the ball is in Russia’s court.” Analysts point to repeated Kremlin demands that are incompatible with both a recent 20-point peace plan and an earlier 28-point proposal, suggesting a reluctance to engage in genuine compromise.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s requirements, as outlined in June 2024, largely mirrored his initial demands from the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Kremlin officials have also claimed that a mutual understanding based on Putin’s June 2024 demands was reached with the United States during a summit in Alaska in August 2025, though no publicly available agreements from that summit have been disclosed. This insistence on past proposals, analysts say, demonstrates the Kremlin’s resistance to proposals within the 28- and 20-point plans that involve freezing current lines in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, or across all four contested regions.
The developments come as Ukraine and the United States held consultations in Miami from December 19-21, focusing on four key documents forming the basis of a future peace agreement. While most points were reportedly agreed upon, territorial issues remain the most challenging. The move underscores the complexity of reaching a resolution.
On December 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the details of the 20-point peace plan. According to U.S. officials, achieving a sustainable peace in Ukraine within the next 90 days is possible, with the administration of President Donald Trump planning to pressure both Russia and Ukraine to reach an agreement.
However, Russia is expected to seek changes to the latest version of the U.S. peace plan, demanding greater restrictions on the Ukrainian military, as well as resolutions regarding sanctions and frozen Russian assets.
