IRIA News

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he held a “very constructive” and “substantive” call with Donald Trump’s peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the U.S. president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as negotiations led by Washington continue in an effort to shape a potential agreement to end Russia’s war.

Zelenskyy said the conversation focused on mechanisms to ensure Russia adheres to any future deal and reaffirmed that Ukraine remains “determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace.”

He added that the call covered “key points that could ensure an end to the bloodshed and eliminate the threat of a new Russian full-scale invasion.”

Ukrainian officials took part in the call from Miami, where U.S.–Ukraine negotiations are now in their third day. Zelenskyy joined from Kyiv, while top Ukrainian negotiators Rustem Umerov and Andriy Gnatov have been meeting Witkoff and Kushner since Thursday.

Trump’s team is attempting to quickly assemble a plan to settle the conflict, now approaching its fourth year. An initial proposal released two weeks earlier was viewed by Kyiv and European capitals as too closely aligned with several of Moscow’s positions and has since been revised.

I’ve just had a long and substantive phone call with @SteveWitkoff and @jaredkushner, alongside Andrii Hnatov and @rustem_umerov. I am grateful for a very focused, constructive discussion.

We covered many aspects and went through key points that could ensure an end to the… pic.twitter.com/ZOVhJZJRbW

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 6, 2025

Zelenskyy said he expected a “detailed report” from Umerov and Gnatov on next steps and the format of further talks with the American side.

In a joint statement earlier this week, Witkoff and Umerov said two days of discussions had been “constructive.” They said both sides agreed on a framework for security arrangements and discussed deterrence capabilities needed to sustain a lasting peace.

But they emphasized that progress depends on Russia demonstrating “a serious commitment to long-term peace,” after talks in Moscow this week produced no breakthrough.

Heavy Russian Strikes Continue

Despite the diplomatic efforts, Moscow has not shown signs of concession in its strikes on Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities said Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles overnight.

Russian strike on the railway hub of Fastiv, southwest of Kyiv, destroyed the main station and damaged rolling stock.

Ukraine’s energy ministry reported that Russian attacks hit energy facilities in eight regions, causing widespread blackouts. Russia said it targeted military-industrial, energy, and port infrastructure.

European Reactions

EU leaders condemned the latest strikes. French President Emmanuel Macron said he spoke to Zelenskyy and offered “full solidarity,” adding that France is working with partners “to secure de-escalation measures and to impose a ceasefire.”

Macron confirmed he will meet Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on Monday to “take stock” of the U.S.-led negotiations. The four leaders are expected to discuss emerging ideas on Ukraine’s post-war security as talks between Kyiv and Washington continue.

Two weeks ago, the leaders met virtually to explore the possibility of a European peacekeeping force to be deployed if a ceasefire takes hold. Starmer has emphasized that Ukraine must determine its own future and said such a force could play a “vital role” in safeguarding the country’s security. Putin has rejected the idea, calling any foreign troops in Ukraine “legitimate targets.”

Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s approach is that “everything must be capable of working, every important thing for peace, security, and reconstruction.” He stressed that not all issues can be resolved by phone and that detailed work must continue between negotiating teams.

As U.S.-Ukraine discussions enter another round in Miami, both sides say progress is possible but ultimately contingent on Russia taking meaningful steps toward de-escalation. For now, heavy Russian strikes and stalled discussions in Moscow underscore the uncertainty surrounding any potential agreement.