Overview
- President Volodymyr Zelensky says the U.S. envisions Ukrainian forces leaving parts of Donetsk they still control to form a demilitarized or free‑economic zone, with Russia pulling back from areas of Sumy, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk but retaining positions in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
- Kyiv has delivered an updated 20‑point proposal to Washington covering security guarantees and reconstruction, and Zelensky insists any territorial arrangements must be validated by Ukrainians through an election or referendum.
- The White House signaled impatience as spokesperson Karoline Leavitt described President Trump as extremely frustrated and seeking immediate action to end the war.
- Core disputes remain unresolved, including control of Donetsk and the status of the Russian‑occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, as negotiations continue among U.S., Ukrainian, Russian and European interlocutors.
- A senior official says one U.S.‑led proposal contemplates expedited EU accession for Ukraine as early as 2027, a reported element that remains subject to negotiations and European sensitivities.