Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised concerns over US proposals to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk region to establish a so-called “free economic zone” in areas currently held by Kyiv. The region, claimed by Moscow, is a central point of ongoing negotiations over security guarantees and territorial control.

Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine presented a 20-point counter-proposal to the United States during discussions with senior officials, emphasizing that any territorial concessions would require a referendum or elections in Ukraine to ensure public approval.

“They see it as Ukrainian troops withdrawing from the Donetsk region, and the compromise is supposedly that Russian troops will not enter this part of … region. They do not know who will govern this territory,” Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian leader stated that Russia referred to the proposed buffer as a “demilitarized zone”, while the US described it as an “economic free zone”. Zelenskyy stressed that governance of the area must be determined by the Ukrainian people.

Pressure from the US and Peace Framework

Reports indicate that US President Donald Trump is urging a deal to be reached by Christmas, with peace proposals including the 20-point framework, security guarantees, and reconstruction plans for Ukraine. Zelenskyy highlighted that the main points of contention remain control over Donetsk and the future governance of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control.

Zelenskyy rejected unilateral troop withdrawals, asking:

“Why doesn’t the other side of the war pull back the same distance in the other direction?”

Following talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Zelenskyy emphasized that security guarantees are critical for any subsequent steps, ensuring Ukraine’s defenses against renewed Russian aggression.

NATO and European Security Concerns

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned that Russia could pose a military threat to the alliance within five years, urging rapid increases in defense spending and production.

“Conflict is at our door. We are Russia’s next target. I fear that too many are quietly complacent. The time for action is now,” Rutte said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s allies are working to mobilize frozen Russian sovereign assets, with the European Commission proposing the use of €200 billion ($232bn) in frozen Russian central bank funds to support Kyiv. Discussions are ongoing among EU member states to maintain sanctions without risking vetoes from countries like Hungary.

Escalating Military Developments

Russian President Vladimir Putin claims that Russian forces hold the strategic initiative on the battlefield, citing the capture of Siversk in Donetsk, although Ukrainian forces report ongoing resistance and destruction of infiltrating Russian units.

Ukrainian forces also launched long-range drone strikes, hitting a Russian Lukoil oil rig in the Caspian Sea, temporarily halting extraction from over 20 wells, and conducted one of the largest drone attacks of the war, shutting down flights at all four Moscow airports for seven hours.

Zelenskyy stressed that a ceasefire is essential for elections to take place in Ukraine, signaling continued pressure from the US for Ukraine to reach an agreement with Russia.