Zelensky Says He Is Ready to Work With the Trump Administration on a New Plan to End the War

Vladimir Zelensky told U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll on Thursday, November 20, that he is prepared to work with the Trump administration on a new plan to end the war. American and Ukrainian officials told Axios that the proposal envisions sweeping concessions, including handing over to Russia territory currently controlled by Ukraine. Rather than reject the initiative, Zelensky agreed to enter talks and, according to his office, expects to discuss the document with Donald Trump in the coming days.

During their meeting in Kyiv, Driscoll delivered a copy of the plan to Zelensky. In a statement, the president’s office said Zelensky “outlined the fundamental principles that matter to our people,” and both sides agreed to keep working on the document’s provisions to secure a just end to the war. A U.S. official added that Zelensky and Driscoll “agreed on a tight signing timetable.” The American delegation’s visit was initially intended to focus on military technology and strategy, but at the White House’s request, Driscoll was also tasked with “initiating negotiations” with Zelensky on behalf of U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The plan, drafted by Witkoff and other U.S. representatives in consultations with the Russian side, stirred controversy in Kyiv and across European capitals after Axios published its details. A planned meeting between Zelensky and Witkoff this week fell through: American officials felt the Ukrainian president was not sufficiently engaged in the discussion. However, according to a Ukrainian official, Zelensky’s stance during talks with Driscoll was more flexible: “The decision is to try to work on this together so that peace becomes possible.” A U.S. source said the Trump administration spent Wednesday and Thursday trying to reassure Kyiv and European allies that the document is “living” and their positions will be taken into account.

In private conversations, Witkoff assured German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul that the plan is a “framework of ideas” incorporating proposals from both Kyiv and Moscow. “Witkoff stressed that the Trump administration is acting responsibly and looking for ways to bring the conflict to an end,” a U.S. official said. According to him, Witkoff added: “If there are elements of the plan you find unacceptable, tell us, and we will try to find a compromise.”

European countries did not take part in drafting the initial proposal, and Kyiv was brought in only after protracted negotiations between U.S. and Russian representatives. According to a Ukrainian official, the document includes provisions seen as favorable to Moscow, among them limits on the size and capabilities of Ukraine’s postwar military. Ukraine has repeatedly rejected such ideas.

The U.S. initiative has emerged amid growing domestic pressure on Zelensky—the most serious since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. An expanding corruption scandal has reached the president’s inner circle, and the opposition is urging him to overhaul his team or even form a new coalition government. Zelensky is expected to gather lawmakers from his party this evening, just hours after meeting with Driscoll. One U.S. official told Axios that domestic uncertainty could push Zelensky toward difficult concessions in pursuit of peace; other analysts argue the opposite—that given today’s political risks, he cannot afford to appear accommodating toward Moscow.

Driscoll himself learned only last week that he would be stepping into a mediator’s role. “As you can imagine, his schedule was cleared and full preparation began,” a U.S. official said. “He’s receiving briefing materials, studying the history of the war—everything—and that’s how he’s spending the entire weekend before the team flies out,” he added. In addition to discussions on the peace plan, Driscoll and the military leaders in his delegation are holding meetings with defense-industry representatives and Ukrainian commanders in Kyiv.