Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday, December 20, that the United States has put forward a potential new framework for peace negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This move signifies a stepped-up diplomatic push by Washington to broker an end to the war, which is nearing its fourth year.
Proposed Format and Key Conditions
Speaking to reporters in the capital city of Kyiv, President Zelensky outlined the American proposal. The suggested format involves trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia at the level of national security advisers. The potential location for these discussions is Florida in the United States.
Zelensky clarified that the realisation of these three-party talks is contingent upon the outcome of ongoing bilateral discussions between Washington and Kyiv, which commenced on Friday. He also indicated that a European delegation currently present in Florida could be integrated into the negotiations if the process moves forward.
"The U.S. said they would have a separate meeting with representatives of Russia," Zelensky stated. He explained the proposed structure as he understood it: "Ukraine, America, Russia — and since there are representatives of Europe there, probably Europe as well." The Ukrainian leader noted that Washington had not yet provided exhaustive details on the format but presented it as a possible platform for renewed diplomatic engagement.
Zelensky's Cautious Stance and Ukraine's Red Lines
Despite the new diplomatic initiative, President Zelensky expressed significant scepticism regarding whether such a meeting would yield any meaningful results. He emphasised that for progress to be made, the United States should increase its pressure on Russia.
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's core, non-negotiable positions. He stressed that Kyiv's control over the non-occupied parts of the Donbas region remains a fundamental principle for any discussions. He outlined that any potential compromise would require both sides to halt military operations along the current front lines.
However, he issued a concurrent warning, revealing that Ukraine's allies have begun to slow down deliveries of crucial air defence missiles, highlighting the challenges faced by the nation.
Openness to Dialogue and Intensifying Diplomacy
Balancing his reservations, Zelensky affirmed that Ukraine would support such a trilateral meeting if it leads to concrete, tangible outcomes. He specified that Ukrainian backing would be contingent on the talks unlocking key humanitarian issues, such as prisoner-of-war exchanges, or if they pave the way for future negotiations at the level of national leaders.
This American proposal comes amid a noticeable intensification of US-backed diplomacy in recent weeks. Direct face-to-face negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have been stalled since July. Washington's latest move appears to be an effort to revive momentum towards a negotiated settlement to the prolonged conflict, marking a significant step in international diplomatic efforts.
