What's happened
Ukraine's Zelensky proposes a 20-point peace plan, including a Donbas free economic zone and security guarantees, amid ongoing conflict and stalled negotiations with Russia. The plan faces Russian skepticism, with recent attacks and territorial disputes complicating prospects for peace. The story highlights diplomatic efforts and battlefield developments as of December 25, 2025.
What's behind the headline?
The latest Ukrainian peace initiative signals a strategic shift towards diplomatic solutions, emphasizing security guarantees and economic zones. Zelensky's plan attempts to address core issues like territorial control and nuclear oversight, but Russia's maximalist demands and recent attacks suggest that negotiations remain fragile. The plan's success hinges on Russia's willingness to accept international monitoring and compromise on territorial claims. The recent Moscow explosions, possibly linked to Ukraine, underscore the ongoing volatility and the difficulty of achieving a ceasefire. The US's support for Ukraine's security guarantees indicates a commitment to long-term stability, but Russia's refusal to withdraw from occupied territories and its maximalist stance suggest that peace will require significant concessions or sustained international pressure. The next steps will likely involve high-level negotiations, with the potential for further battlefield escalation if diplomatic efforts falter.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Zelensky's 20-point plan includes creating a demilitarized Donbas zone and security guarantees from NATO allies, but Russia remains skeptical, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating Moscow will decide its position based on Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev's information. Al Jazeera highlights that Ukraine and US negotiators reached consensus on several issues but remain divided over territorial control and the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. The article notes that Ukraine insists on referendums for territorial changes, while Russia demands full withdrawal from occupied regions. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed maximalist territorial demands during his annual address, asserting that Russian forces have seized strategic initiative and will make further gains. The Guardian emphasizes that the US is pushing for security guarantees, but Moscow's refusal to cede territory and recent attacks complicate peace prospects. Overall, the story underscores the complex interplay of diplomacy, battlefield realities, and political will shaping the future of Ukraine-Russia peace efforts.
How we got here
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, multiple diplomatic efforts have sought to end the conflict. The US has engaged in negotiations, proposing security guarantees and territorial arrangements, but disagreements over land control and military presence persist. Zelensky's recent proposals aim to balance security with territorial integrity, amid ongoing fighting and political tensions.
Go deeper
Common question
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What’s the latest on Ukraine’s peace negotiations?
Ukraine and US negotiators are working towards a peace framework, but key issues remain unresolved. With territorial disputes and conflicting demands from Russia, the path to peace is complex and uncertain. Curious about what’s happening behind the scenes and what it means for the future of Ukraine? Below are the most common questions people are asking about the current state of Ukraine’s peace talks.
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Can Ukraine's Peace Plan End the Conflict with Russia?
Ukraine's President Zelensky has proposed a 20-point peace plan amid ongoing fighting with Russia. But will diplomacy be enough to end the war? Here are the key questions about Ukraine's peace efforts, Russia's response, and the prospects for peace in the region.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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The Donbas (UK: , US: ; Ukrainian: Донбас [donˈbɑs]) or Donbass (Russian: Донбасс [dɐnˈbas]) is a historical, cultural, and economic region on the Russia-Ukraine border, lying predominantly in Ukraine. The vast majority of the Donbas is o
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The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station (Ukrainian: Запорізька атомна електростанція, romanized: Zaporiz'ka atomna elektrostantsiia; Russian: Запорожская атомная электростанция, romanized: Zapor
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.
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Kirill A. Dmitriev is the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, a $10 billion sovereign wealth fund created by the Russian government to co-invest in the Russian economy alongside the sovereign wealth funds of other countries.
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Siversk (Ukrainian: Сіверськ, IPA: [ˈs⁽ʲ⁾iwersʲk]; Russian: Северск, romanized: Seversk), formerly known as Yama (Яма) until 1973, is a city in Bakhmut Raion, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Its economy has traditionally been based aroun