The United States has proposed a potential new format for peace talks involving Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday (December 20th), as Washington steps up diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year war.
Zelenskyy said the proposal includes talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia at the level of national security advisers, with meetings possibly taking place in Florida.
The talks depend on discussions between the US and Ukraine
Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said whether the trilateral talks will continue depends on the outcome of the ongoing talks between Washington and Kyiv, which began on Friday.
Zelenskyy added that if the talks move forward, the European delegation, which is currently in Florida, could join the discussions.
“The US said they will hold a separate meeting with representatives of Russia,” Zelenskyy said. “And they proposed the following format, as I understand it: Ukraine, America, Russia – and since there are representatives of Europe, probably Europe.”
Zelenskyy said Washington did not provide detailed details of the proposed format, but described it as a possible platform for renewed engagement.
Zelenskyy is cautious about the results
The Ukrainian president expressed skepticism about whether the proposed meeting would yield meaningful results, adding that the United States should increase pressure on Russia.
Ukraine open to negotiations under conditions
Despite his reservations, Zelenskyy said Ukraine would support such a meeting if it led to tangible results, including humanitarian progress.
According to him, Ukraine will support talks if it unblocks prisoner-of-war exchanges or paves the way for leaders-level talks.
Red lines and conditions for compromise
Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s main negotiating positions and emphasized that Kiev’s control over the unoccupied parts of the Donbas region remains a principled position.
He said any compromise would involve both sides halting military operations along the current front lines, but warned that Ukraine’s allies had begun to slow deliveries of air defense missiles.
Diplomatic efforts will intensify
Ukraine and Russia have not had direct face-to-face talks since July. But U.S.-backed diplomacy has intensified in recent weeks as Washington seeks to revive momentum toward a negotiated settlement.
