Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that talks with the United States and NATO on potential diplomatic pathways to end the war are advancing, signalling one of the most structured peace-related engagements since the conflict began.In an update posted on X, Zelensky said he held a nearly hour-long call with US Vice President J.D. Vance and US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, during which the sides discussed the “details of the American side’s proposals for ending the war.” He said Ukraine, the United States and European partners will now coordinate at the level of national-security advisers to determine whether a peace framework can be made “dignified and truly effective.”
“We agreed to maintain constant contact, and our teams are ready to work 24/7,” Zelensky said, adding that Kyiv respects US President Donald Trump’s stated priority of ending the conflict and views “every realistic proposal positively.”
Shortly after that announcement, Zelensky said he also spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. According to his statement, Rutte expressed condolences for the recent Russian strike on Ternopil, where Zelensky said 31 people were killed, including six children. Rescue efforts at the site are still ongoing.“Ukrainians, more than anyone else in the world, want this war to end,” Zelensky said. He added that Kyiv and NATO discussed available diplomatic scenarios, including the US plan, and agreed to coordinate next steps.
“We agreed to maintain constant contact, and our teams are ready to work 24/7,” Zelensky said, adding that Kyiv respects US President Donald Trump’s stated priority of ending the conflict and views “every realistic proposal positively.”
Shortly after that announcement, Zelensky said he also spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. According to his statement, Rutte expressed condolences for the recent Russian strike on Ternopil, where Zelensky said 31 people were killed, including six children. Rescue efforts at the site are still ongoing.“Ukrainians, more than anyone else in the world, want this war to end,” Zelensky said. He added that Kyiv and NATO discussed available diplomatic scenarios, including the US plan, and agreed to coordinate next steps.
The twin statements mark a notable diplomatic shift after months of battlefield stalemate, growing pressure from Western capitals to explore negotiations, and increasing public fatigue inside Ukraine.
No details of the US proposals or possible negotiation format have been disclosed, and there has been no immediate comment from Washington or Moscow. Any settlement would likely hinge on security guarantees, territory, and Ukraine’s future defence posture—issues that remain politically and militarily contentious.
For now, Zelensky framed the process as exploratory but urgent: “We are ready to work swiftly and constructively to ensure it succeeds.”
