Zelenskyy: Ukraine has "significant chance" to reach political deal with West

Ukraine has a “significant chance” to reach a political agreement with its Western partners on ending the war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement published on his Telegram channel.

According to Zelenskyy, he is set to hold meetings with representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as with European leaders, to discuss the foundations of peace and a political settlement to the conflict, Caliber.Az reports.

“The most important thing is that I will have meetings with representatives of President Trump, as well as meetings with our European partners, with many leaders, on the foundations of peace — a political agreement to end the war. At present, the chance is significant,” he said.

The Ukrainian leader also noted that preparations are underway for talks in Germany with the U.S. side and what he described as “European friends” in the coming days. “There will be many events in Berlin,” Zelenskyy added.

Zelenskyy’s remarks come amid intensified diplomatic activity in late 2025 aimed at ending the conflict. A U.S.-led peace framework initially consisting of 28 points, leaked in November, has reportedly been revised to around 20 points following talks in Geneva on November 23, incorporating European input while retaining contentious provisions such as potential demilitarisation of parts of Donbas and delays to Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.

The renewed momentum follows Zelenskyy’s December 11 counter-proposals, including the idea of a referendum on key concessions, as well as growing frustration in Washington over stalled progress, though no deadline has been imposed. Meetings in Berlin are expected to focus on coordinating a unified European position, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stating on December 13 that meaningful progress would require de-escalation by Russia.

The diplomatic push unfolds against continued Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and Moscow’s insistence on full territorial control, while Ukrainian public opinion shows rising support for negotiations but strong resistance to territorial concessions.

By Khagan Isayev