By Harshit
KYIV, Dec. 24 —
Zelenskyy Briefs Media on US-Backed Peace Proposal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly outlined the key points of a United States-backed peace proposal aimed at ending the war with Russia, saying Kyiv is awaiting a formal response from Moscow later today.
The framework, negotiated in recent days during talks in Miami between Ukrainian and US officials, is understood to include security guarantees, phased de-escalation measures, and international oversight mechanisms. Zelenskyy told journalists that while Ukraine remains open to diplomacy, it will not accept arrangements that undermine sovereignty or legitimise territorial occupation.
“We are waiting for Russia’s response today,” Zelenskyy said. “Ukraine is ready for serious discussions, but only on conditions that ensure our security and independence.”
Kremlin Avoids Public Commitment
The Kremlin declined to comment publicly on the proposal. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would not negotiate through the media but would continue contacts with Washington through established diplomatic channels.
Russian officials have consistently rejected public pressure around peace initiatives, while maintaining that any agreement must reflect “realities on the ground” — language Kyiv views as a demand for territorial concessions.
Fighting Continues as Diplomacy Advances
Despite the diplomatic push, fighting across Ukraine has continued unabated. Local authorities confirmed that at least one person was killed in Russian attacks in the Zaporizhzhia region, while another civilian died in Kharkiv following strikes on residential and energy infrastructure.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said Russian forces struck thermal power plants on the outskirts of the city, causing a significant drop in electricity supply across multiple districts. Emergency crews were forced to prioritise power distribution as temperatures dipped further below freezing.
Ukraine’s state energy operator Ukrenergo reported emergency power outages in several regions, urging residents with electricity to conserve usage as repair teams worked under continued threat of attack.
Russia Claims Territorial Gains
Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed it had captured the village of Zarechnoye in eastern Zaporizhzhia, releasing aerial footage of drone strikes and bombardment. Moscow asserted that its forces cleared nine square kilometres of territory and inflicted heavy losses on Ukrainian troops — claims Kyiv has not independently confirmed.
Ukrainian military officials said fighting remains intense around Pokrovsk, Kupiansk and Lyman, with Ukrainian forces repelling dozens of assaults over the past 24 hours.
Medvedev Announces Surge in Russian Recruitment
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev claimed that more than 417,000 Russians signed contracts with the Ministry of Defence this year, with an additional 36,000 joining volunteer formations deployed to the war zone.
The announcement comes amid reports of sustained Russian manpower losses and increased financial incentives to attract recruits, particularly from economically disadvantaged regions.
Evacuations Ordered in Eastern Ukraine
Ukraine ordered the mandatory evacuation of children and their families from 19 settlements in the Donetsk region, citing worsening security conditions. Authorities also approved the evacuation of people with limited mobility from care facilities in Zaporizhzhia to western Ukraine.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said specialised emergency teams equipped with armoured vehicles are conducting the evacuations, while transit centres continue to provide documentation, housing assistance and financial support.
Zelenskyy Open to Direct Talks With Trump
Zelenskyy reiterated his readiness to meet US President Donald Trump directly to discuss sensitive territorial issues — a stance that underscores Kyiv’s belief that only leader-level negotiations can resolve the most contentious elements of the war.
“Territorial questions must be discussed at the leaders’ level,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine’s position remains unchanged on internationally recognised borders.
Nuclear Plant Proposal Rejected
Zelenskyy also rejected a US proposal suggesting joint international control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, calling the idea “unrealistic” while the facility remains under Russian occupation.
The plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, has been a persistent source of international concern since early 2022, with repeated warnings from nuclear watchdogs about safety risks.
A Fragile Diplomatic Moment
As Ukraine braces for Russia’s response, the contrast between diplomatic manoeuvring and battlefield reality remains stark. Power shortages, evacuations, and daily casualties continue to define civilian life, even as international mediators search for an opening to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
Whether Moscow engages seriously with the proposal — or uses the delay to consolidate gains — may determine whether this moment becomes a step toward peace or another missed opportunity.