Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to meet key European partners as the United States steps up pressure on Kyiv to agree to a revised peace plan aimed at ending the war with Russia.
Zelenskyy will hold talks in London on Monday with British, French, and German leaders to secure support on defence, long-term funding, and the latest U.S. proposal. He said the meetings will focus on both urgent needs and future commitments for Ukraine’s security.
The Ukrainian president will then travel to Brussels to meet NATO chief Mark Rutte and EU leaders Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, amid growing concern that Washington may be pushing Kyiv toward terms seen as unfavourable.
Concerns Over the U.S. Approach
U.S. President Donald Trump has taken what many describe as a “great powers” approach to diplomacy, positioning himself as a mediator but appearing more receptive to Russian arguments.
A previously leaked 28-point plan drafted by Trump’s advisers drew heavy criticism and was described by many analysts as a near “Russian wishlist.”
In response, Ukrainian officials worked with European allies to craft an alternative proposal, which was then presented to the U.S. for revision.
No Breakthrough in Miami Talks
Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner delivered the updated proposal to Moscow last week before meeting Ukrainian officials for several days in Miami. Those talks ended on Saturday with no major breakthrough.
The biggest obstacle remains a demand that Ukraine surrender control of the eastern Donbas region—territory Russia partially occupies but does not fully control. Ukraine has repeatedly refused to accept any territorial concessions.
Zelenskyy told reporters the proposal includes “sensitive issues” requiring more discussion, including security guarantees and the status of the eastern regions.
“There are visions of the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine, and we don’t have a unified view on Donbas,” he said. Kyiv also insists on a separate security pact with Western partners, especially the U.S.
Trump criticised Zelenskyy for not accepting the terms, saying:
“Russia is fine with it, but I’m not sure Zelenskyy is. His people love it, but he isn’t ready.”
Ukraine Faces a Difficult Phase of the War
Ukraine is currently enduring one of the most challenging periods of the nearly four-year conflict, with Russia advancing in the east and stepping up missile and drone attacks that have caused widespread power outages across major cities.
Zelenskyy described the Miami discussions as “constructive but not easy.”
Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said he would brief Zelenskyy on the talks and share all documents tied to the peace plan. U.S. officials claim they are in the final stages of negotiations, though neither Russia nor Ukraine has shown clear willingness to sign an agreement.
Russia’s Mixed Response
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not publicly endorsed the newest proposal, saying parts of it are unrealistic—even though the draft reportedly contains provisions favourable to Moscow.
However, Russia welcomed the Trump administration’s newly released National Security Strategy. The document warns of “civilizational erasure” in Europe, labels ending the war in Ukraine as a core U.S. priority, and signals a shift toward restoring “strategic stability” with Russia.
The Kremlin said the strategy aligns closely with its own worldview and called it “a positive step.”