Overview
- In a Politico interview, President Donald Trump called European leaders weak, said Russia holds negotiating leverage, and urged Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a U.S.-brokered proposal.
- Financial Times reporting says envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner told Kyiv to respond within days to a plan that envisions territorial compromises in exchange for unspecified U.S. security guarantees, with hopes for a deal by Christmas.
- Zelensky met the Pope and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni in Rome, said Ukraine will send a revised 20-point peace plan to Washington, and signaled elections could occur within 60–90 days if security is ensured.
- EU figures pushed back on Trump’s remarks, with European Council President António Costa urging allies to act like allies and a European Commission spokesperson praising the bloc’s leadership and continued support for Ukraine.
- Italy positioned itself as a bridge in the talks as Meloni discussed security guarantees and the territorial question with Zelensky, while Moscow amplified U.S. criticism and reiterated claims on the Donbass.