US, Ukraine discussed 'some ideas' on issue of territory, Zelenskiy says


Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS

KYIV, Jan 6 (Reuters) - ‌U.S. and Ukrainian officials discussed "some ideas" to address ‌the issue of territory during peace talks ‌to end Russia's war on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday, describing the matter as the biggest remaining obstacle in ‍the process.

Ukraine is under U.S. pressure ‍to quickly secure a ‌peace deal that could include painful concessions, but has ‍refused ​to accept Russian demands that it cede land it still controls in eastern Donbas.

"The ⁠biggest issue that needs to be worked on ‌is the territorial issue. We discussed some ideas that might ⁠help," Zelenskiy ‍said in Paris after a meeting with European allies to hash out security guarantees for Kyiv.

"If the teams ‍are unable to resolve certain issues, ‌the matter can be brought to the leaders' level."

Separately, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff told reporters that land options were discussed during the Paris talks, and that discussions would continue.

The Ukrainian delegation would remain in Paris for further consultations, Zelenskiy added.

Ukraine had said ‌earlier that the U.S. offered the idea of a free economic zone if Kyiv withdraws from parts of the Donetsk ​region that Ukrainian forces still control.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Writing by Dan Peleschuk. Editing by Mark Potter and Nia Williams)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Russia downs 151 Ukrainian drones overnight, TASS says, citing defence ministry
Heavy rain batters New Zealand's South Island, triggers flood warnings
Land in focus at Geneva peace talks between Russia and Ukraine
New Mexico approves comprehensive probe of Epstein’s Zorro Ranch
Medal table at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on February 16
U.S. bobsledder Meyers Taylor claims women's monobob gold in fifth Olympic appearance
China's Gu takes big air silver at Milan-Cortina after long absence
North Korea's Kim marks completion of Pyongyang housing project as key party congress nears
Flash: 2 killed in shooting in U.S. Rhode Island: authorities
Australia rules out helping families of IS militants leave Syrian camp

Others Also Read