Zelensky is open to negotiating a demilitarized zone in Donbas, but Putin refuses.

MoscowVolodymyr Zelensky He continues to show some flexibility in the peace negotiations in Ukraine, while Vladimir Putin does not budge an inch. The Ukrainian president has, for the first time, opened himself to considering the possibility of establishing a demilitarized zone in Donbas if it prevents Russian control over the region. Conversely, the Kremlin has already made it clear that it will only accept a complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from this territory and that any area free of soldiers must fall under Russian sovereignty.

The proposal for a demilitarized zone around the current front line is a compromise solution from the United States in response to Ukraine's refusal to hand over the Kyiv-controlled part of Donetsk to Russia. According to Zelensky, Trump calls it a "free economic zone," and it would consist of... Each side will move a few kilometers away from the contact line until forming that strip without military contingents or heavy weapons. The Ukrainian president's office has clarified that Zelensky does not support the idea; he has merely mentioned it and is committed to continuing the dialogue. In any case, it is a sign that there is movement and that the new US peace plan proposal could explore this avenue. However, it is very likely that this approach will be doomed from the start. Russian negotiator Yuri Uyshakov has anticipated that the version of the document that emerges from the talks between the United States, Ukraine, and Europe will contain several points that "won't be well-received" in Russia. Putin's chief foreign policy advisor used a typical Kremlin rhetorical device to reject the idea of a militarized zone not controlled by Moscow. He admitted that "it is quite possible that there will be no troops there, neither Russian nor Ukrainian," but added: "There will be the Russian National Guard, our police, and everything necessary to maintain order and organize daily life." The National Guard has more than 300,000 men, tanks, artillery, and has fought alongside the Russian army in Ukraine.

To leave no room for doubt, Ushakov also dismissed one of Zelensky's recent suggestions: a referendum to decide who holds sovereignty over the occupied provinces. Zelensky, as president, argues that he is not authorized to cede parts of Ukraine. The Russian negotiator responded emphatically: "Regardless of the outcome, this territory belongs to the Russian Federation. Sooner or later, if not through negotiations, then by military means, it will end up under Russian control." Furthermore, Putin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, suggested that the ceasefire necessary to hold such a referendum would be "another deception" and "a way to confuse people." "What we need is peace," he concluded.

Zelensky visits Kupiansk

The battle between both sides to convince Trump shows no signs of letting up. The Kremlin is looking for subtle ways to dismiss the American proposals, imposing conditions that undermine them, but hoping the White House will adopt them and pressure Kyiv. Meanwhile, Zelensky is trying to demonstrate to the US president thatThings aren't looking as bad for Ukraine on the battlefield as Putin would have them believe.

The Ukrainian leader made a surprise appearance in Kupyansk, a town in the Kharkiv region that the Russian president declared conquered three weeks ago. He even invited international journalists to visit so they could witness firsthand the encirclement by Kyiv's troops. According to military analysts, in recent weeks, Ukrainian soldiers have managed to regain ground in this area, and now it is the Russian army that finds itself surrounded.

Zelensky strolled through the town's entrance dressed in camouflage and a bulletproof vest, aware that Putin never visits the front lines and that his appearances in command posts and basements are difficult to pinpoint. He recorded a video in front of the town's sign and stated that it is "extremely important to achieve results on the front lines so that Ukraine can achieve results in diplomacy." This is the same propaganda objective that he was pursuing. the Russian leader when he prematurely announced the fall of Kouiansk or Pokrovsk.

Trump has set Christmas Day as the deadline for Zelensky's response to the peace plan, but Moscow dismisses even small Ukrainian gestures and publicly maintains its maximalist demands. Ukraine suffers attacks on its energy infrastructure and has dwindling troops on the front lines, while Russia continues to supply the front with tens of thousands of men each month and bears a massive number of casualties. At this point, it seems unlikely that anything will happen before 2026.