Kyiv, Ukraine | December 27, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday to discuss territorial issues and security guarantees as part of potential peace negotiations aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long war with Russia.
Zelenskyy described December 26, 2025, as a “turning point” in diplomatic efforts, saying progress had been made toward identifying a framework for a possible settlement. The upcoming meeting is expected to focus on land disputes, long-term security assurances for Ukraine, and elements of a U.S.-backed peace proposal currently under discussion.
The announcement comes amid contrasting signals from Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to senior Russian business leaders on December 24, said Russia could consider swapping some territories currently under its control in Ukraine. However, he insisted that Russia must retain full control of the Donbas region.
Putin reiterated conditions first outlined in 2024, including Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, along with Kyiv formally abandoning its bid to join NATO. His foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, has been involved in ongoing Kremlin discussions regarding U.S. peace initiatives.
Tensions escalated further early on December 27, when Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv, triggering powerful explosions across the Ukrainian capital. Air raid alerts were issued as emergency services assessed damage, underscoring the fragile state of negotiations.
The renewed assault highlights the sharp divide between diplomatic efforts and battlefield realities, as indirect talks involving Washington continue alongside active hostilities.
