Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday (Dec 7) that discussions with US representatives on a peace plan for Ukraine have been productive but challenging, as he prepares for talks with European leaders in the coming days. Zelenskiy spoke by phone on Saturday with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. He is set to meet the leaders of France, Britain and Germany on Monday in London, with more meetings scheduled in Brussels afterward.

“The American representatives understand Ukraine’s core positions,” Zelenskiy said in his nightly video message. “The dialogue was constructive, though far from easy.” Trump has described ending Russia’s war in Ukraine — now nearing its fourth year and the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two — as his most difficult foreign policy issue.

Despite US involvement and occasional high-level engagement, the peace process has moved slowly. Major disagreements persist over security guarantees for Kyiv and the future of territories held by Russian forces. Moscow claims it is ready for talks and accuses Ukraine and Western countries of blocking progress, while Kyiv and its partners argue that Russia is deliberately delaying and using negotiations to secure its advantages.

European leaders continue to support a gradual diplomatic approach for Ukraine, tied to long-term security commitments and ongoing military backing. Trump, by contrast, has emphasized quick deal-making and greater burden-sharing. Diplomats caution that the negotiations remain fragile and could be disrupted by shifts in US politics.