Zelensky Says US Peace Plan Talks ‘Constructive but Not Easy’ as Europe Consultations Begin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that discussions with US representatives on a potential peace plan for Ukraine have been “constructive, although not easy,” as diplomatic engagement intensifies ahead of crucial meetings with European leaders this week.

Zelensky spoke after holding a call on Saturday with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, and Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner. The talks, part of Washington’s ongoing push to broker a settlement to the nearly four-year-long war, focused on narrowing differences between Kyiv and Washington over key elements of the US proposal.

“The American representatives know the basic Ukrainian positions,” Zelensky said in his nightly video address. He emphasized that Ukraine remains engaged in the process but acknowledged the difficulty of finding common ground.

Zelensky is scheduled to meet the leaders of France, the United Kingdom and Germany in London on Monday, with additional consultations planned in Brussels. European governments have advocated a phased diplomatic approach backed by long-term security guarantees for Kyiv and sustained military assistance.

Slow Progress Despite US Mediation

President Trump has repeatedly described ending the Russia-Ukraine war as his most challenging foreign policy task. Yet despite active US mediation and multiple rounds of high-level dialogue, progress has been limited.

Major sticking points remain, particularly the future status of Russian-occupied territories and the nature of security guarantees Ukraine would receive under any agreement. Kyiv insists that sovereignty and territorial integrity must be safeguarded, while Moscow continues to demand concessions.

Russia Blames Kyiv, West for Delays

The Kremlin maintains that it is ready to negotiate and accuses Ukraine and its Western allies of obstructing peace efforts—claims firmly rejected by Kyiv. Ukrainian officials argue that Moscow is using diplomacy to solidify its battlefield gains while continuing military pressure.

Diplomacy Amid Political Uncertainty

While European governments support a structured, multistep diplomatic framework, Trump has pushed for faster deal-making and greater burden-sharing by allies. Diplomats warn that the talks remain fragile, with outcomes heavily dependent on shifting political dynamics in Washington.

As Zelensky heads into a week of intense diplomatic engagement, both Kyiv and its partners acknowledge that significant challenges remain—but also that momentum toward a negotiated settlement, however uncertain, is building.