Ukraine and US Envoys Discuss Updated Peace Plan Amid Continued Military Actions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised new ideas on peace following a nearly hour-long call with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. This discussion came after an updated 20-point peace plan was agreed upon by US and Ukrainian envoys in Florida, which includes security guarantees from the US, NATO, and European partners for a coordinated response should Russia invade again.
The updated plan outlines the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the eastern regions and the creation of a demilitarised zone in their place. Zelensky acknowledged that work remains on sensitive issues but affirmed that Ukraine and the American team understand how to implement the plan. Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov is scheduled to speak again with Witkoff and Kushner soon.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin announced that Moscow is analysing the proposals brought back from the US by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and will make decisions in consultation with President Vladimir Putin.
On the ground, Ukraine struck Russia's Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery near Rostov using cruise missiles, targeting a key facility for fueling Russian operations. Russia's defence ministry, in turn, reported that its forces had taken control of the settlement of Sviato-Pokrovske in Donetsk.
Zelensky also indicated a potential option for Ukraine's Donbas region: establishing a 'free economic zone' for areas from which Ukraine pulls back, with policing remaining under Ukrainian control.
