Zelenskyy outlines Ukraine’s step-by-step negotiation strategy
Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference with Donald Trump on December 28, 2025 (Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is pursuing talks without imposed deadlines and has agreed on a step-by-step strategy for meetings, speaking to reporters on Dec. 29.
After a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, a meeting of advisers from Ukraine, the United States and Europe is planned, Zelenskyy said. This would be followed by Ukraine–Europe summits with European leaders, after which preparations would begin for a new meeting at the level of U.S. and Ukrainian leaders.
After that, Zelenskyy said, meeting formats with representatives of Russia, the aggressor country, could be possible.
On Dec. 28, Zelenskyy and Trump met at the Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, after which they held a videoconference with European leaders.
Following the talks, Trump said there had been “very significant progress.” He said the issue of the Donbas remains unresolved. Trump also said he was ready to travel to Ukraine and address parliament if that would help secure a peace agreement.
Zelenskyy said after the talks that the peace plan was 90% agreed and that Ukraine–U.S. security guarantees were fully settled. In January, Ukrainian and U.S. delegations will hold another meeting to finalize remaining issues related to the peace plan, the Ukrainian president said.
Zelenskyy later added that he had proposed security guarantees for Ukraine lasting 30 to 50 years. Trump said he would consider the idea, though the draft document currently предусматриes guarantees for 15 years.
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