KYIV, Ukraine (FN) — Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators held discussions on Christmas Day aimed at advancing a potential peace deal to end the nearly four‑year war with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday. The talks, conducted with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, produced what Zelensky described as “new ideas” for moving negotiations forward.
Zelensky said the Christmas Day call focused on “substantive details” of an emerging framework, including possible formats for future meetings and timelines for a broader agreement. “We are truly working 24/7 to bring closer the end of this brutal Russian war against Ukraine,” he said in a statement posted on X.
The discussions came as Ukraine faced a new wave of Russian strikes. Moscow launched more than 600 drones and dozens of missiles in the days leading up to Christmas, hitting residential areas and energy infrastructure across multiple regions. At least three people — including a four‑year‑old child — were killed, and millions were left without power during freezing winter conditions.
Despite the escalation, Kyiv has signaled cautious optimism. Zelensky recently unveiled an updated 20‑point peace proposal that includes the potential withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from parts of the east and the creation of a demilitarized zone in the Donbas region. The Kremlin confirmed it had received the proposal and was reviewing it.
At a press conference in Moscow earlier Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said there was “slow but steady” progress in the negotiation process between Russia and the United States. She described the talks as “technical but constructive,” suggesting that channels between Washington and Moscow remain active even as fighting continues on the ground.
Zakharova also sharply criticized the European Union, accusing EU governments of being “committed to escalating the conflict and prolonging hostilities.” She argued that while the U.S. and Russia were exploring diplomatic pathways, European states were “fueling the war” through continued military support for Kyiv. Her comments reflect a widening diplomatic split, with Moscow attempting to portray itself as open to negotiation while framing the EU as an obstacle to peace.
The Vatican has also urged renewed diplomacy, with Pope Leo calling on both nations to show “courage” and engage in direct dialogue during his Christmas Day address in St. Peter’s Square.
Zelensky said he expects to meet with President Donald Trump soon and suggested that “a lot can be decided before the New Year,” raising hopes for a potential breakthrough after months of stalled negotiations.
The Christmas Day talks underscore the quiet but persistent diplomatic efforts continuing behind the scenes — even as the war grinds on, overshadowed by other global crises. For many Ukrainians, the negotiations offer a rare glimmer of hope in a conflict that has faded from international headlines but remains devastatingly present on the ground.
