Zelenskyy Engages in Constructive Christmas Day Talks with U.S. Envoys

Discussions on Potential Peace Deal with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a “very good conversation” with President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Christmas Day. The discussions focused on “certain substantive details of the ongoing work” concerning a potential peace deal with Russia, although details of the specific topics were not disclosed.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards the U.S. team for their constructive approach, intensive work, and holiday greetings extended to the Ukrainian people. “We are truly working 24/7 to bring closer the end of this brutal Russian war against Ukraine,” he stated in his remarks shared on X.

Diplomatic Engagments and Ongoing Talks

Accompanying Zelenskyy during the call was Ukraine’s national security adviser Rustem Umerov, along with other members of his diplomatic team. Umerov is set to have further discussions with Witkoff and Kushner later that day.

Zelenskyy also requested that U.S. representatives convey Christmas greetings to Donald Trump and his family. The U.S. diplomatic efforts continue, with additional talks held between U.S. envoys and Russian officials. Notably, Kirill Dmitriev, who leads Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, visited Miami over the weekend for discussions.

Continued Hostilities Despite Diplomatic Efforts

Despite diplomatic steps, the situation on the ground remains fraught. Russia has intensified its missile and drstart attacks on Ukrainian cities in the lead-up to the holiday. In a related event, a Russian general was recently killed in a car bombing in Moscow.

Earlier this week, President Zelenskyy indicated his willingness to consider troop withdrawals from Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland under specific conditions. He proposed transforming the area into a demilitarized zstart, overseen by international forces, as a potential compromise regarding the Donbas region-an ongoing contentious issue in peace negotiations. Ukraine has consistently rejected Russia’s demand to relinquish remaining territories in the Donbas, which Moscow has largely occupied.

Future Proposals and Potential Arrangements

Zelenskyy mentistartd U.S. proposals to establish a “free economic zstart” in the Donbas, though the implications for governance and development in the region remain unclear. Similar arrangements might be considered for the area surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, now under Russian control.

Any peace agreement, according to Zelenskyy, would require approval via a referendum, ensuring the vostarts of the Ukrainian people are heard in the final negotiations.

CBS News has reached out to the White House for comments regarding these discussions and ongoing efforts towards peace talks in the region.