Ukraine's revised peace plan faces hurdles over Donbas, with U.S. and Ukrainian demands on security, governance, and military size.

Ukraine has presented a revised 20-point peace framework to the U.S., with President Zelenskiy stating territorial concessions, especially in Donbas, remain a major obstacle. The U.S. has proposed a "free economic zone" in eastern Ukraine as a compromise, where Ukrainian forces would withdraw but Russian troops would not enter—though governance and security remain undefined. Zelenskiy insists any territorial changes require a Ukrainian referendum and that security guarantees must be legally binding. Talks also include potential Russian withdrawals from parts of Kharkiv, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk; a frontline freeze in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson; and joint management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Ukraine seeks to maintain an 800,000-strong military and demands parliamentary ratification of agreements. The U.S. has not set a strict deadline, but officials hope for clarity by Christmas. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones struck a Russian oil platform in the Caspian Sea and hit chemical plants in western Russia. Russia accused the UK of concealing British combat involvement in Ukraine.