LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned on Tuesday that he believes the U.S. “desires to succeed in a remaining settlement,” to finish the conflict in Ukraine, with Kyiv providing its full backing for a peace deal.
“We sense that America desires to succeed in a remaining settlement, and from our aspect, there may be full cooperation,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “Ukraine has by no means been, and can by no means be, an impediment to peace.”
Ukraine and Russia continued their nightly change of long-range drones in a single day into Wednesday. Russia’s Protection Ministry mentioned on Wednesday that its forces downed no less than 195 Ukrainian drones, together with 5 over Moscow area of which two had been “flying towards” the capital.
Russia’s federal air transport company, Rosaviatsiya, mentioned flight restrictions had been launched at two of Moscow’s 4 worldwide airports — Domodedovo and Vnukovo — in the course of the assaults. Restrictions had been additionally put in place at airports in Volgograd, Yaroslavl, Orenburg, Ufa and Orsk, Rosaviatsiya mentioned.
The Grand Kremlin Palace and church buildings are seen behind the Kremlin Wall in Moscow, Russia, on Dec. 8, 2025.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Ukraine’s air power, in the meantime, mentioned Russia launched 116 drones into the nation in a single day, of which 60 had been shot down or suppressed. Forty-eight drones impacted throughout 19 areas, the air power mentioned.
On Tuesday night time, Zelenskyy mentioned Ukrainian restore crews had been working to revive energy after a serious Russian drone and missile strike on Monday night time. “All through the day, restore crews have been working at vitality amenities — placing in most effort to make sure that Ukrainians have electrical energy for Christmas,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
“In fact, the Russians try to break this vacation, this sacred day, as nicely. No shock there,” Zelenskyy added.
At a briefing in Kyiv with journalists on Tuesday, Zelenskyy revealed particulars of the 20-point peace plan negotiated with the U.S. which is now being reviewed by Moscow.
Zelenskyy informed reporters that mentioned all sides had been “a lot nearer” to finalizing the paperwork. Kyiv expects to obtain a response from Moscow on Wednesday, Zelenskyy added.
On this picture supplied by Ukraine’s sixty fifth Mechanized Brigade press service, recruits attend drills at a coaching floor within the Zaporizhzhia area, Ukraine, on Dec. 12, 2025.
Andriy Andriyenko/AP
The proposed framework contains safety ensures from the U.S., NATO and European companions, although territorial questions stay unresolved. Underneath the draft plan, Ukraine would maintain a presidential election as quickly as attainable after any deal is signed.
Zelenskyy mentioned the deal would see Article-5-style safety ensures kick in if Russia assaults the nation once more, even with out Ukrainian NATO membership. Zelenskyy once more careworn that Kyiv rejected any ban on becoming a member of the alliance — a key Russian demand.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on latest U.S. contacts.
“We now intend to formulate our future place primarily based on the data acquired by the top of state and proceed our contacts within the very close to future by way of the prevailing channels which might be at present operational,” Peskov mentioned, as quoted by the state-run Tass information company.
Russian Deputy Overseas Minister Sergei Ryabkov, in the meantime, mentioned Moscow and Washington have “vital similarities” of their positions on a attainable settlement.
ABC Information’ Ellie Kaufman, Dada Jovanovic and Yulia Drozd contributed to this report.
