Published December 12, 2025 — last updated December 12, 2025
Ukraine has submitted an updated peace plan to the United States and is pressing for firm security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described such guarantees as “among the most important elements for all subsequent steps” and warned that any proposal to create a demilitarized zone must include clear policing arrangements and a referendum or election to be legitimate.
Washington has pushed both Kyiv and Moscow to accept a US-backed proposal, but intensified diplomacy has yet to produce a breakthrough. Major sticking points include Russia’s demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from parts of the eastern Donbas — including areas not currently held by Russian forces — US ideas for a demilitarized “free economic zone” to serve as a buffer, and Ukraine’s insistence on concrete, enforceable security assurances.
Zelenskyy has questioned who would police a proposed free economic zone and how it could be protected from infiltration by disguised combatants. He argued any withdrawal of Ukrainian troops would need safeguards to prevent the other side from exploiting the situation and stressed that any compromise must be fair.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said Washington would be prepared to help provide security “in some form,” calling such assistance “a necessary factor,” though he gave no details. Trump indicated the US might attend a European meeting reported to be in Paris to discuss the plan “if we think there’s a good chance” of progress. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was “extremely frustrated” with both sides and tired of meetings without results. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested a follow-up meeting could be held in Berlin next week.
Military analysts note Ukraine is particularly reluctant to cede its remaining heavily defended “fortress cities” in Donetsk — including Sloviansk, Kramatorsk and Pokrovsk — which form a critical defensive belt. Sky News analyst Michael Clarke said the only reliable deterrent against further Russian moves would be credible force on the ground or allied troops backed by American forces, options that are politically and practically difficult.
On the battlefield, Russian forces are continuing incremental advances and bombardments in eastern Ukraine. Moscow has reported small territorial gains, including claiming control of Siversk in northern Donetsk, while towns such as Dobropillia have suffered heavy destruction. The conflict remains active as diplomats try to bridge deep gaps over territory, security arrangements and who would enforce any buffer or demilitarized zones.