• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirms joint US-Ukraine teams are working on specific points of a peace plan while emphasizing "there can be no reward for waging war"
  • The proposed 28-point peace framework calls for Ukraine to abandon territory, relinquish certain weapons, and reduce military size
  • Diplomatic efforts proceed alongside continued Russian military strikes, including a Wednesday missile attack that killed at least 26 in Ternopil

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Wednesday that Ukrainian and U.S. teams are working on specific points of a peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, even as Russian missile strikes continue to devastate civilian areas.

The announcement comes as the White House has been quietly developing a 28-point peace proposal over approximately one month through collaboration between Russian adviser Kirill Dmitriev and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff during meetings in Miami. According to people familiar with the negotiations, the proposed framework would require Ukraine to abandon territory, relinquish certain weapons, and reduce the size of its military.

"The war must end," Zelenskyy acknowledged from Kyiv, while immediately adding the crucial caveat from Ukraine's perspective that "there can be no reward for waging war." The Ukrainian leader's careful wording reflects the delicate balancing act between pursuing diplomatic solutions and maintaining national sovereignty amid ongoing aggression.

Even as diplomatic channels show activity, with a U.S. Army delegation visiting Kyiv this week, the brutal reality of the conflict was underscored by a Russian missile attack on an apartment building in the western city of Ternopil that killed at least 26 people, including three children. Rescuers were still searching for additional victims as of Thursday, highlighting the continued humanitarian crisis that drives urgency around peace negotiations.

The U.S. has simultaneously strengthened its military support for Ukraine, approving a $100 million package to upgrade Ukraine's Patriot missile-interceptor systems. This dual approach—pursuing peace negotiations while enhancing Ukrainian defensive capabilities—reflects the complexity of current foreign policy toward the conflict, which the White House has identified as a foremost priority.

Ukrainian officials have previously indicated willingness to freeze battle lines as a negotiating starting point, but only if they receive concrete security guarantees from the United States and Western partners. The ongoing work between U.S. and Ukrainian teams suggests both sides are attempting to bridge significant gaps in their positions, though Zelenskyy has not yet endorsed the specific 28-point proposal currently under discussion.

Attempts to reach representatives from both negotiating teams for comment on the current status of talks were unsuccessful Thursday morning.