Negotiations surrounding a potential end to the war in Ukraine are intensifying, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaling a willingness to consider territorial concessions amidst growing international pressure. The discussions, largely brokered through former U.S. President Donald Trump’s intermediaries, reveal a complex web of proposals and counterproposals focused on establishing a ceasefire and long-term security arrangements. While details remain fluid and largely opaque, the evolving stance from Kyiv-coupled with reported alignment between Washington and Moscow-suggests a possible, though far from certain, shift in the trajectory of the nearly two-year conflict and raises questions about the future of Ukraine’s sovereignty and relationship with the West.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signaled a potential willingness to cede territory to Russia, a significant shift in his long-held position, as negotiations continue over a possible end to the ongoing conflict. The move comes amid increasing pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump and reflects a growing urgency to find a resolution, even if it means making difficult concessions.
Zelenskyy indicated on Thursday, December 11, that Ukraine could consider withdrawing from approximately 20% of the Donetsk region – a key area in eastern Ukraine – if a referendum or election approved such a move. This represents a departure from nearly four years of steadfast refusal to acknowledge territorial losses in exchange for appeasing Russian forces.
The Ukrainian leader’s comments came as he responded to a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war, which he described as a “set of documents” he has now returned to American officials for a second time. The development underscores the complex diplomatic maneuvering underway as the conflict enters its second year.
Last month, Trump surprised international observers with a proposal widely seen as favoring Russia’s terms for a ceasefire, initially outlined by Vladimir Putin in 2024 and reiterated in a draft proposal this past June. Zelenskyy, with the backing of European allies concerned about even a partial Russian victory, developed a counterproposal intended to be more balanced.
That counterproposal was discussed with Putin last week through intermediaries sent by Trump, but the Russian president reportedly maintained his maximalist demands. This raises doubts about whether a ceasefire will be possible even if Trump were to agree to the 20 points now being discussed by the Ukrainians.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier stated that there were “no more disagreements” regarding what Moscow wants from the U.S., suggesting a degree of alignment between Washington and Moscow.
Zelenskyy acknowledged that there is no firm timeline for concluding negotiations, though U.S. media reports suggest Trump would like to see them wrapped up this year. A truce in Ukraine was a key promise during Trump’s 2023 campaign, during which he claimed he could end the conflict within 24 hours.
“I think they want to have a complete understanding of where we are by Christmas,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the U.S. negotiating team.
While Zelenskyy did not detail his full counterproposal, he identified two major sticking points. One is the future of Donetsk, which, combined with the Russian-controlled Luhansk region, forms the historically significant Donbass region – the epicenter of the current conflict.
According to Zelenskyy, U.S. officials have suggested Ukraine withdraw from the 20% of Donetsk it still controls, which would then become a “free economic zone” – a term he characterized as a euphemism for a buffer zone, as originally envisioned in Trump’s plan drafted by American and Russian negotiators.
“Who will govern this area? This is all very serious. It is not a given that Ukraine would agree to this, but if you are talking about an agreement, then it must be a fair agreement,” Zelenskyy stated. He added that any such loss of territory would require a popular vote, though he did not address the practical challenges of holding a referendum in a war zone.
He also stated that Russia would need to withdraw from smaller occupied areas in the Kharkiv (north), Sumi (north), Dnipropetrovsk (center), and eastern regions, areas seized since its illegal annexation of four regions in 2022. Russia recently gained control of another village in Kharkiv on Thursday.
Another contentious issue is control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest, which has been occupied by Russian forces since the start of the war and is currently non-operational. Zelenskyy said both Ukraine and Russia want control of the plant, while the U.S. has proposed a shared control arrangement that appears unworkable, potentially overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Zelenskyy expressed unease about the direct contacts between Trump and Putin, suggesting he fears being sidelined. “The U.S. does not want to see us in NATO [the Washington-led military alliance]. What are the separate agreements between the U.S. and Russia? We do not know. Over time, all the secrets will be revealed,” he said.
This week, Zelenskyy also conceded he may need to amend the law to allow elections to proceed even under martial law, as his original term expired last year. He clarified on Thursday that this would only be possible with a ceasefire. Trump has publicly questioned him twice about this, previously labeling him a “dictator with no elections” – echoing a line of criticism from Putin aimed at undermining Zelenskyy’s legitimacy.
The Ukrainian leader is facing a challenging situation, marked by military losses and a recent corruption scandal that led to the dismissal of two ministers and his chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, who had been leading negotiations with the U.S.
Zelenskyy held a virtual meeting on Wednesday with allies from the “Coalition of the Willing,” led by Germany, the United Kingdom, and France. Trump reportedly admonished these leaders in a phone call on Tuesday, urging them to pressure Kyiv to make concessions after calling them “weak” in an interview.
The Ukrainian leader also held a video conference with U.S. Secretaries of State Antony Blinken and Defense Lloyd Austin, as well as negotiator Steve Witkoff. They agreed to continue negotiations.
Trump is seeking a commitment from Ukraine to remain militarily neutral and to limit the size of its armed forces. The original proposal suggested a ceiling of 600,000 soldiers, compared to the current 800,000, a figure Zelenskyy revealed on Thursday.
Finally, the complex issue of guarantees against future Russian aggression remains unresolved. Lavrov stated that Russia has presented a comprehensive package to Trump, while Zelenskyy says the terms are unclear. He suggested to his European colleagues that Europe must be involved in the process. Without credible security guarantees, the prospect of a truce remains uncertain.
