Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would send revised proposals to the U.S. on Tuesday, December 9th, as part of ongoing efforts to end the war. The remarks came as he met Pope Leo XIV in Italy and continued a series of high-stakes diplomatic talks across Europe.
After discussions between Ukrainian and U.S. officials over the weekend, Washington’s 28-point plan was reduced to 20 points.
A major sticking point remains Washington’s suggestion that Ukraine surrender territory Russia has not captured in exchange for security guarantees. Sensitive issues include control over the Donbas region and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. A leaked earlier draft had suggested handing full control of Donbas to Russia and dividing energy output from the nuclear facility.
Zelensky insisted that Ukraine has “no legal or moral right” to give up any land and said key questions about future Russian aggression remain unanswered.
Zelensky met Pope Leo at Castel Gandolfo, where the pontiff urged progress toward a “just and lasting peace.”
The Ukrainian leader is also meeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni this afternoon, whose government recently postponed a decision on renewing military aid due to expire at the end of the year.
On Monday, Zelensky held talks in London with leaders from Britain, France and Germany before travelling to Brussels for meetings with the heads of the EU and NATO. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that Ukraine’s security must be assured as “the first line of defence for our Union,” while French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe is preparing “robust security guarantees” for Kyiv.
