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A new round of Peace Talks focused on Ukraine could mark a pivotal moment in the nearly four-year war, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump are set to meet on Dec. 28, according to Zelenskyy.

The planned meeting, reportedly scheduled to take place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, comes amid intensified diplomatic activity, shifting battlefield dynamics in eastern Ukraine, and mounting questions over whether Russia is willing to compromise at all.

Although the White House did not immediately confirm the meeting when contacted by USA TODAY, Zelenskyy described the sit-down as being “specifically for the purpose of finalizing everything as much as we can,” adding on social media   that “a lot can be decided before the New Year.”

Peace Talks Gain Momentum Ahead of Zelenskyy–Trump Meeting

The anticipated Mar-a-Lago meeting follows a flurry of diplomatic discussions between Ukrainian and U.S. officials centered on a new 20-point peace framework unveiled by Zelenskyy on Dec. 24. 

According to reporting by USA TODAY and Ukrainian outlets, the proposal was developed in close consultation with Washington and revises key elements of an earlier U.S.-drafted plan that had drawn criticism in Kyiv for being overly favorable to Moscow.

One of the most controversial provisions in the earlier draft—shrinking Ukraine’s military—has reportedly been modified or removed. The updated framework is intended to serve as a basis for renewed Peace Talks, though significant obstacles remain before it can be formally presented to Russia.

More details on U.S. involvement in the process can be found at USA TODAY:
https://www.usatoday.com

Territorial Disputes Remain a Core Obstacle

Territory continues to be the most contentious issue in negotiations over Ukraine. Russia is demanding full control over areas in eastern Ukraine that are currently held by Kyiv’s forces. 

Zelenskyy has indicated a willingness to consider a demilitarized zone in parts of the region. This idea was previously floated by the U.S. 

 Ukraine’s official position favors ending the conflict along current battle lines, where its military has established layered defenses.

Another sensitive issue is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which is currently under Russian control. Both Moscow and Kyiv have expressed interest in jointly operating the facility with U.S. involvement, but each side insists on excluding the other. The U.S. has previously signaled interest in leading a joint nuclear management arrangement at the site.

Putin Signals Little Flexibility on Peace Talks

Despite renewed diplomatic energy, Russia appears unlikely to accept any peace terms beyond its own. During his annual marathon press conference on Dec. 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated long-standing demands, chief among them complete control over four disputed regions in Ukraine.

As one analyst quoted by European media put it, “The Kremlin’s position suggests negotiations are acceptable only if they ratify gains Russia has not secured on the battlefield.” That stance has fueled skepticism among experts who fear that Peace Talks may stall regardless of U.S. and Ukrainian progress.

Battlefield Developments Strengthen Kyiv’s Hand

While diplomats talk, fighting continues—particularly around the northeastern city of Kupyansk, a strategic rail and road hub in the Kharkiv region. According to reports from The Kyiv Post (https://www.kyivpost.com), Russian forces appear close to being pushed out of the city, with only several dozen isolated troops remaining.

Ukraine’s General Staff said Russian forces launched five attacks in the Kupyansk sector on Dec. 24, all of which were repelled near Petropavlivka, Pishchane, Zahryzove, and Kupyansk itself. Viktor Trehubov, head of communications for Ukraine’s Joint Forces grouping, said a recent Ukrainian counteroffensive severely disrupted Russian attempts to stabilize the front.

“They are surrendering,” Trehubov said during a televised briefing. “There have even been cases of foreigners — foreign mercenaries for the Russians — giving themselves up.”

He added that Russian units inside Kupyansk are cut off from reliable supply lines and lack the manpower needed to reverse their losses. “At this stage, they simply do not have additional capabilities to somehow restore the situation,” Trehubov said.

Notably, even Kremlin-aligned military bloggers have begun acknowledging the setback. “An entire wave of messages appeared saying that Kupyansk is gone,” Trehubov noted. “Even Russian propagandists have switched to a line acknowledging that the city is no longer under their control.”

What Comes Next for Peace Talks and Ukraine

As Zelenskyy and Trump prepare to meet, developments on the ground in Kupyansk and elsewhere may shape the tone and leverage of upcoming Peace Talks. While U.S. officials have spoken optimistically about achieving a “lasting and durable peace,” the gap between Kyiv’s proposals and Moscow’s demands remains wide.

For Ukraine, the combination of diplomatic momentum and battlefield resilience may offer its strongest negotiating position in months. Whether that will be enough to move Russia remains the central unanswered question.