Ukraine: Zelenskyy unveils revised US-backed peace plan
Skip next section French President Macron vows Ukraine support in talk with NATO chief Rutte12/24/2025December 24, 2025French President Macron vows Ukraine support in talk with NATO chief RutteFrench President Emmanuel Macron vowed continued support for Kyiv in discussions with NATO chief Mark Rutte on the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the continued work by the 'Coalition of the Willing' on Wednesday.
Writing on social media platform X, Marcon said: "Beginning in January in Paris, we will continue these efforts with a view to providing Ukraine with strong security guarantees, which are an essential condition to achieving a robust and lasting peace."
"As Russia continues its aggression, Ukraine keeps fighting and continues to demonstrate resilience. It can rely on our steadfast support, now and in the future."
https://p.dw.com/p/55w8qSkip next section Russia targets Ukraine's gas production for 2nd day in a row, state firm says12/24/2025December 24, 2025Russia targets Ukraine's gas production for 2nd day in a row, state firm saysRussia often hits Ukraine's gas production facilities [FILE: December 2, 2025]Image: Roman Pilipey/AFP/Getty ImagesUkraine's oil and gas infrastructure came under attack by Russia for the second day in a row, Ukraine's state-run Naftogaz said.
The "targeted attacks" forced equipment to shut down, the firm said, adding that Russia had used nearly 100 drones to strike Ukraine's gas production facilities.
"There is critical damage. Equipment operations have been halted. Rescuers and company specialists are working to address the aftermath of these attacks. Restoration work will begin immediately afterward," Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretsky said on Facebook.
On Tuesday, Russia launched over 600 drones and dozens of missiles on Ukraine, killing at least three people and forcing widespread power cuts.
Ukraine is in the midst of winter, with most of the country struggling with frigid, subzero temperatures this week.
https://p.dw.com/p/55vckSkip next section What are the main sticking points that are unresolved?12/24/2025December 24, 2025What are the main sticking points that are unresolved?The two main issues that look likely to hinder progress in the peace talks are over control of territory in eastern Ukraine and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
On Zaporizhzhia, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said:
No agreement has been reached with the US on who controls and operates Europe's largest nuclear power facility
The plant is near the front line, but lies in territory that is controlled by Russian forces
Zelenskyy said the original US plan had been for the plant to be operated by Ukraine, Russia and the United States in a joint enterprise
Kyiv wants the plant to be split 50-50 between it and Washington
On the issue of territory in eastern Ukraine, Zelenskyy said:
The issue is the most complex point in the negotiations, and remains unresolved. Moscow wants Kyiv to pull all of its forces out of the region, including territory that Ukraine currently controls
Ukraine wants the fighting to be frozen along the current frontline
The US has suggested establishing demilitarized zones and a free economic zone in areas of Donetsk that Kyiv still holds
https://p.dw.com/p/55vVUSkip next section Putin briefed on revised plan, Kremlin says12/24/2025December 24, 2025Putin briefed on revised plan, Kremlin saysPutin said this month that Ukraine would pull out of the Donbas region or Russia would take it by force [FILE: December 19, 2025]Image: Vladimir Smirnov/TASS/ZUMA/picture allianceRussia's demands for peace have not changed, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, while also noting that Moscow's leadership will convene before responding to the revised plan.
"All the main parameters of the Russian side's position are well known to our colleagues from the United States," Peskov told reporters.
"Now, we will take into account the information received by our head of state to formulate our further positions and continue our contacts... as soon as possible," Peskov said.
Russian officials also confirmed that President Vladimir Putin has received a report on recent meetings between his negotiators and US President Donald Trump's envoys on a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine.
https://p.dw.com/p/55vY5Skip next section What is in the new 20-point peace plan agreed by the US and Ukraine?12/24/2025December 24, 2025What is in the new 20-point peace plan agreed by the US and Ukraine?Here is a closer look at some of the key points in the modified US-backed peace proposal:
Ukraine’s state sovereignty will be affirmed by all signatories, including Russia
Russia and Ukraine will sign a full and unconditional non-aggression pact
To maintain the peace long-term, a monitoring mechanism will be set up to oversee the line of contact. The mechanism will use space-based monitoring and early-warning systems for violations
The US, NATO and European nations will provide Kyiv with robust security guarantees that mirror NATO's Article 5, the alliance's collective defense clause
Ukraine will keep its armed forces at the current strength of 800,000 military personnel. The earlier US plan had called for Kyiv to cut the size of its army
Russia will formally ensrhine a legally-binding policy of non-aggression towards Europe and Ukraine in all of its required legislation. This will need to be ratified by an absolute majority in the State Duma, Russia's parliament
Russia will not block Ukraine from using the Dnipro River and the Black Sea for commercial purposes
All remaining prisoners of war (POWs) will be exchanged on the principle of "All for All", and all civilian detainees and hostages will be returned
Ukraine must hold elections as soon as possible once the agreement is signed
The implementation of the legally binding agreement will be monitored and guaranteed by a Peace Council, chaired by President Trump. Ukraine, Europe, NATO, Russia, and the US will be part of this mechanism. Sanctions will be imposed in case of violations
But the issues of what to do with territory in eastern Ukraine and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remain unresolved.
The new plan states that a ceasefire can only take effect once those two sticking points have been addressed. What could push Putin to accept a draft Ukraine peace plan?
https://p.dw.com/p/55vTQSkip next section Trump to sign off on critical issues12/24/2025December 24, 2025Trump to sign off on critical issuesZelenksyy suggested the new draft could eventually lead to Ukraine pulling troops out of Donetsk once demilitarized zones are established.
"This is a document referred to as a framework – a foundational document on ending the war, a political document between us, America, Europe, and the Russians," Zelenskyy said.
But he said the "most sensitive issues" must be discussed with US President Donald Trump.
Trump 'frustrated' about Ukraine and Russia
"Matters such as territorial questions must be discussed at the leaders’ level," Ukraine's president added.
Zelenskyy presented the new plan during a two-hour press conference with journalists on Tuesday night, witth his comments embargoed until Wednesday morning.
https://p.dw.com/p/55vVRSkip next section Zelenskyy presents revised peace plan after talks with US, European negotiators12/24/2025December 24, 2025Zelenskyy presents revised peace plan after talks with US, European negotiatorsZelenskyy said he does not like some aspects of the planImage: Ukrainian Presidential Office/AFPUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed a new 20-point plan to end the war in Ukraine.
The 20-point plan is a revision of a 28-point proposal made by Washington in November, which leaders in Europe and Ukraine considered too conciliatory to Russia's demands.
Kyiv has managed to secure some concessions in the new plan, which comes after intense consultations in recent weeks between negotiators from the US, Europe and Ukraine.
Key points that Ukraine had objected to in the White House's original plan have been addressed, namely Kyiv having to immediately withdraw from the eastern Donetsk region and renounce its NATO membership bid. Also, under the new plan, the land currently occupied by Moscow will not be recognized as Russian.
While Zelenskyy said Ukraine's and Russia's positions had been brought closer on most points, consensus on two key points remains elusive: control of territory in eastern Ukraine and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe.
https://p.dw.com/p/55vSfSkip next section Welcome to our coverage12/24/2025December 24, 2025Welcome to our coveragePresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed a new, 20-point plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
The announcement comes after a surge of US-led diplomatic activity in recent weeks.
The plan contains several concessions for Ukraine relative to Washington's original 28-point proposal, which had been seen as too favorable to Moscow.
The unveiling of the new peace plan also comes a day after Russia pummeled Ukraine with hundreds of drones and missiles, killing at least three people and cutting power to thousands across the country.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest on the efforts to end the nearly four-year war.
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