Trump Pushes Zelenskyy on Peace Proposal as Europe Signals Openness to Renewed Dialogue with Russia
Diplomatic efforts to advance negotiations on the Russia Ukraine conflict are intensifying across multiple fronts, with the United States and several European leaders exploring potential paths toward a settlement. Recent reports suggest growing pressure on Ukraine to respond to a new U.S. backed peace plan while European officials signal that renewed contact with Russia may be necessary to support long term stability.
According to a report by Axios, the Trump administration is urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept the latest version of a U.S. mediated proposal that could involve significant territorial concessions. Two Ukrainian officials told the outlet that U.S. presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held a two hour call with Zelenskyy on Saturday, pressing for a clear commitment from Kyiv. During a separate interview released by Politico, Trump suggested he expected quick movement on the plan, saying Zelenskyy needed to start accepting certain terms because he was “losing.” The Financial Times reported that Trump hoped to see progress before Christmas.
The discussions in recent days followed three days of talks between U.S. negotiators and Ukrainian officials in Miami, which came shortly after a meeting in Moscow where Witkoff and Kushner met Russian President Vladimir Putin. During those talks, Russia reportedly insisted that Ukraine surrender the entire Donbas region, including territories still under Kyiv’s control. One Ukrainian official told Axios that it appeared the American side was presenting Russia’s demands in a way that placed pressure on Zelenskyy to accept them.
Trump expressed disappointment that Zelenskyy had not yet reviewed the full proposal, while Zelenskyy described the conversations with the U.S. as constructive but challenging. The Ukrainian leader met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on Monday to consult European partners. A statement from the British government said the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to securing a just and lasting peace.
Across Europe, the debate over how to approach the next phase of negotiations is widening. Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who previously served as NATO secretary general, said at a forum in Finland that Europe must keep communication channels open with Russia, arguing that dialogue will be necessary to end the conflict. Speaking alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Stoltenberg said arms control will need to play a central role in any eventual agreement. He also warned that engaging with Russia now is essential if Europe hopes to influence broader global developments.
Stubb said the possibility of peace feels closer than at any earlier point in the conflict, though he acknowledged that territorial issues and security guarantees for Ukraine remain the most difficult challenges. He noted that Finland and other supporting countries are prepared to contribute to post war security arrangements but will not offer formal guarantees. Negotiators, he said, are working on a twenty point framework that includes reconstruction plans and potential security measures, though the hardest questions remain unresolved. After the event, Stubb told Finnish broadcaster Yle that talks are progressing but far from complete.
