Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is holding urgent meetings with leaders and officials from approximately 30 allied nations in a bid to secure more favorable terms in negotiations to end the war with Russia, now deep into its fourth year. The talks come as Kyiv faces mounting pressure both on the battlefield in eastern Donetsk and diplomatically from the United States.

The discussions, taking place on Thursday, follow a high-profile call between Zelenskyy and a group of Western leaders including US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This coalition, often referred to as the “coalition of the willing,” aims to guide peace negotiations while limiting Russian maximalist demands that some US officials have supported.

US Pressure and Zelenskyy’s Stance

President Trump has urged a rapid settlement to the conflict, emphasizing the need for Ukraine to consider territorial concessions. “Zelenskyy has to be realistic,” Trump said after Wednesday’s call. However, Zelenskyy has repeatedly affirmed that Ukraine will not give up its territory, a position also reinforced by the nation’s constitution.

German Chancellor Merz described the talks as “constructive” and emphasized that decisions regarding territorial concessions must ultimately be made by Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people. NATO officials have been engaged closely in the process, highlighting the broader European security stakes in resolving the conflict.

Sharp Divisions Over Peace Plan

The peace negotiations have revealed sharp divisions among Western allies on how much land Ukraine should cede. Russia already controls all of Luhansk province and large parts of Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson, forming a strategic stretch along Ukraine’s Black Sea coast. Yet, according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War, Russia has gained only 0.77 percent of Ukraine’s territory in 2025, suggesting that front lines remain largely stable despite recent advances.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated that Moscow had relayed additional proposals to the US regarding collective security guarantees, though details have not been disclosed.

Escalating Battlefield Pressure

On the ground, Russian forces are exerting intense pressure on the strategic city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk. Ukrainian reports indicate a large mechanized assault involving a 30-vehicle convoy, marking the largest such attack on Pokrovsk to date. Capturing the city would represent Russia’s most significant territorial gain in nearly two years, increasing urgency for Kyiv to secure favorable peace terms.

Russia has reportedly suffered significant losses in the area, including more than 1,000 armored vehicles and over 500 tanks since October 2023. Meanwhile, Ukraine demonstrated its strike capabilities with a major drone attack that forced closures at four Russian airports for seven hours. Russian air defenses claimed to have intercepted 287 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions.

US Legislative Response

Tensions between President Trump’s peace initiative and the US Congress are rising. Congress recently passed a sweeping $901 billion defense bill, which strengthens European security, allocates $400 million in aid to Ukraine, and restricts the president from reducing US troop levels in Europe below 76,000.

Ukrainian officials have submitted a revised peace plan to Washington, signaling coordination with European allies to ensure a unified approach. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is acting “swiftly” to maintain its strategic interests and resist undue concessions.