• President Zelensky expresses concern that U.S. commitment to Ukraine's peace process may falter, a fear shared by European allies.
  • Diplomatic efforts are accelerating, with Ukrainian negotiators engaging U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Zelensky meeting European leaders to shore up support.
  • The push for a deal comes as Russia makes significant battlefield gains, capturing 701 square kilometers of territory in November alone.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly acknowledged a deep-seated anxiety hanging over the latest diplomatic push to end the war: the potential for the United States to lose interest. "Yes, I am afraid," Zelensky said when asked about the sustainability of U.S. commitment, a stark admission that underscores the fragile nature of the ongoing negotiations.

This concern emerges as U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff prepares for a pivotal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, following what were described as "productive" talks with Ukrainian negotiators in Florida. The Ukrainian delegation, led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, reported progress but noted that "certain issues require further refinement." According to people familiar with the discussions, the talks covered safeguards against Russian strikes and measures to prevent potential ceasefire violations.

European officials, already wary of the Trump administration's 28-point initial proposal, share Zelensky's apprehension. They fear the U.S. plan, even after revisions from earlier punitive drafts, could pressure Ukraine into unacceptable territorial concessions. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that pressure could be placed primarily on Ukraine, "the weaker side." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the need to avoid a "dictated peace," reflecting a transatlantic rift over the negotiation's endgame.

Zelensky has been actively working to reinforce a European backstop, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and traveling to Ireland for briefings from his own team. "Ukraine approaches all diplomatic efforts with utmost seriousness – we are committed to achieving a real peace and guaranteed security," Zelensky stated, while simultaneously stressing the importance of maintaining broad international coalition involvement.

The diplomatic urgency is compounded by a deteriorating military situation. Russian forces captured 701 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in November 2025—the second-largest monthly advance of the war—bringing Russian-controlled territory to 19.3% of the country. A recent missile attack on the city of Dnipro that killed four civilians is a grim reminder of the ongoing toll. In briefings to U.S. officials, Ukrainian military leaders have contended that Russia is overstating its territorial gains while downplaying its own significant losses.

Former armed forces chief Valery Zaluzhny has warned that "a rushed peace will only lead to a devastating defeat and loss of independence," a sentiment echoing in Kyiv's corridors of power. The central challenge for Zelensky is navigating a U.S.-driven process that demands rapid progress while ensuring any settlement doesn't sacrifice Ukraine's fundamental security. Without a durable deal backed by unwavering Western guarantees, analysts fear any ceasefire would merely allow Russia to regroup. The outcome of Witkoff's Moscow visit will now be critical in signaling whether the U.S. is brokering a balanced settlement or steering toward a one-sided conclusion that validates European and Ukrainian fears.