Ukraine US near safety ensures framework settlement says Zelenskyy

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned Ukraine and the United States are near finalizing a framework of safety ensures and financial preparations tied to a proposed peace plan, whereas Russia has signaled it should search important modifications earlier than any settlement to finish the struggle.

Talking at a press convention in Kyiv on December 22, Zelenskyy mentioned talks with U.S. officials had produced a 20-point plan and accompanying paperwork that embrace safety ensures involving Ukraine, america and European companions. He acknowledged the framework was not flawless however described it as a tangible step ahead.

"There are 20 factors of the plan, in all probability not the whole lot is ideal there, however this plan is there," Zelenskyy mentioned. "There are safety ensures between us, the Europeans and america of America, there's a framework doc."

US OFFICIALS TOUT PROGRESS IN TALKS TO REACH 'LASTING AND DURABLE PEACE' BETWEEN UKRAINE, RUSSIA

<source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/12/672/378/volodymyr-zelenskyy-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-war.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/12/1344/756/volodymyr-zelenskyy-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-war.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/12/931/523/volodymyr-zelenskyy-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-war.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/12/1862/1046/volodymyr-zelenskyy-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-war.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the course of the eightieth United Nations Basic Meeting, in New York Metropolis, N.Y., Sept. 23, 2025. (Al Drago/Reuters)

Zelenskyy mentioned a separate bilateral doc with Washington protecting safety ensures is meant to be reviewed by the U.S. Congress , including that key annexes vital to Ukraine’s army wants had been largely agreed.

"I noticed the primary developments, there are virtually 90%, to be trustworthy, precisely these attachments which might be vital for us, what our military and Ukraine can rely on," he mentioned, describing the draft as "fairly respectable."

A Christmas tree stays in the lounge broken by a Russian drone strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Dec. 16, 2025. Russian troops assault a nine-storey condominium constructing with a drone, beginning a hearth in a number of flats and injuring three folks. (Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto through Getty Pictures)

He additionally mentioned a primary model of an agreement on Ukraine’s recovery had been ready, calling it an financial technique that, along with the safety paperwork, types "the essential block of all paperwork."

Zelenskyy warned, nevertheless, that diplomacy has not decreased the rapid army risk from Russia. He criticized Moscow for rejecting proposals for a Christmas ceasefire , calling it a "dangerous sign," and warned of potential assaults in the course of the vacation interval.

MOMENTUM BUILDS IN UKRAINE PEACE PUSH, BUT EXPERTS FEAR PUTIN WON’T BUDGE

Ukrainian servicemen of the forty fourth artillery brigade fireplace a 2s22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer in direction of Russian positions on the frontline within the Zaporizhzhia area, Ukraine, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Danylo Antoniuk/AP Photograph)

"When Russia says there shall be no Christmas ceasefire, I believe that that is, in precept, at all times what they are saying, they emphasize intimidation," Zelenskyy mentioned. He added that Ukraine faces an air-defense shortfall and urged civilians to stay vigilant.

Reuters additionally reported that Zelenskyy confirmed Russian forces captured a border village in Ukraine’s Sumy area, taking dozens of civilians and 13 Ukrainian troopers prisoner. He mentioned Ukrainian troops avoided putting Russian forces as a result of civilians had been current. Reuters famous it couldn't independently confirm the account and that Russia had not commented.

On the Russian aspect, the Kremlin mentioned President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the U.S. peace proposals, with Moscow anticipated to formulate its place within the coming days, in keeping with Reuters and Anadolu Company.

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President Donald Trump, proper, shakes the hand of Russia's President Vladimir Putin throughout a joint press convention at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photograph/Jae C. Hong, File) (AP Photograph/Jae C. Hong, File)

Bloomberg Information reported that Russia views the 20-point plan agreed between Ukraine and the U.S. as only a starting point . In accordance with an individual near the Kremlin, Moscow intends to hunt key modifications, together with further restrictions on Ukraine’s army, arguing that the proposal lacks provisions vital to Russia and leaves many questions unanswered.

The rising positions underline a widening hole between Kyiv’s portrayal of progress towards safety ensures and Moscow’s insistence on renegotiating core parts of the U.S.-backed plan as diplomacy continues .

Reuters contributed to this report.

Efrat Lachter is an investigative reporter and struggle correspondent. Her work has taken her to 40 nations, together with Ukraine, Russia, Iraq, Syria, Sudan and Afghanistan. She is a recipient of the 2024 Knight-Wallace Fellowship for Journalism. Lachter may be adopted on X @efratlachter.