Zelenskyy presents new peace proposals to U.S., presses Trump team to act

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed new peace talks to the United States, urging Washington to take a more prominent role in the conflict, as Russia remains unwilling to cease hostilities. In a CNN interview, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for President Trump's team's continued efforts, but emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not inclined to end the war and lacks sufficient pressure on him.

Zelenskyy did not disclose the specifics of the new proposals but stressed the need for greater U.S. involvement in the peace plan. He also warned that Putin might attempt to escalate the war into NATO territory, potentially targeting one of the smaller Baltic states. Zelenskyy shared this assessment with Western experts, stating that Putin would opt for a quick victory, confident of his military success.

The Ukrainian leader previously discussed ideas for reinvigorating diplomatic efforts with Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, on July 22 and June 8, describing the conversations as "very positive." However, talks mediated by Witkoff and Kushner later faltered as the U.S. redirected its focus to Iran. Trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia were suspended since February 2026, when Iran's war began.

On May 7, the Kremlin deemed the three-way format useless unless Ukraine withdrew its troops from the Donbas. On June 4, Zelenskyy penned an open letter to Putin, proposing an in-person meeting, a full ceasefire, and an all-for-all prisoner exchange. Putin dismissed the letter as "rude in places" and declined the proposal. In May, Oligarch Roman Abramovich visited Kyiv with Putin's consent. Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's refusal to retreat from the Donbas during their meeting.