Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing for an in person meeting with President Trump “as soon as possible,” potentially over Thanksgiving, to finalize a joint U.S. Ukrainian framework for ending the war. According to chief of staff Andriy Yermak, both sides have agreed on most elements of a revised plan, but key territorial issues require direct leader level negotiation. The timing and symbolism of a holiday meeting may add urgency as both governments accelerate efforts to present a unified position before engaging Russia.
Territorial Questions Remain the Main Obstacle
The original 28 point U.S. proposal included territorial concessions to Russia beyond its current control, prompting immediate objections from Kyiv. Although the plan has now been streamlined to 19 points, Yermak emphasized that the remaining disagreements center on land. Washington argued privately that battlefield trends suggested Ukraine could lose the disputed areas regardless, but Zelensky insists such concessions must be discussed directly with Trump. Yermak stressed that aside from territory, the draft aligns with Ukraine’s red lines and reflects significant U.S. revisions.
Security Guarantees Take Shape
Yermak highlighted major progress on long term security guarantees, calling the updated provisions “very solid.” The draft envisions legally binding commitments from the United States and European partners, with strong bipartisan signals of support for formalizing the guarantees in treaty form. Ukraine would not withdraw its constitutional pathway to NATO, but acknowledges it is not a member and must rely on alternative mechanisms. Earlier proposals involving the full transatlantic community have been reworked to reflect conditions strictly tied to Ukraine’s defense.
Diplomatic Momentum Despite Rising Tensions
The shift from the controversial 28 point proposal to the current framework marks a dramatic turn in tone between the two governments. Trump publicly urged Zelensky last week to accept a deal Kyiv described as harmful to its dignity, yet both sides now project confidence about reaching agreement. Yermak praised senior U.S. officials — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — noting unusually intensive engagement.
Russian Response and Internal Pressures
Russian Foreign Secretary Sergei Lavrov signaled that Moscow welcomed the original U.S. plan but warned that deviations from understandings reached by Trump and President Vladimir Putin could change the equation. Meanwhile, Yermak faces domestic criticism amid a corruption scandal involving the Zelensky administration, though he has not been accused of wrongdoing. U.S. officials told Axios the scandal could weaken Kyiv’s negotiating position, a concern Yermak dismissed while defending Zelensky’s record.
Path Ahead
Yermak said recent deadly strikes on Kyiv show Russia is not prepared to make peace, but argued that a unified U.S. Ukrainian platform could pressure Moscow into talks. With Trump scheduled to spend Thanksgiving at Mar a Lago, a meeting during the holiday window remains possible. A finalized joint plan, followed by direct Trump Putin negotiation, is seen in Kyiv as a potential turning point toward ending the war.
