LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that he believes the U.S. “wants to reach a final agreement,” to end the war in Ukraine, with Kyiv offering its full backing for a peace deal.
“We sense that America wants to reach a final agreement, and from our side, there is full cooperation,” Zelenskyy said. “Ukraine has never been, and will never be, an obstacle to peace.”
Ukraine and Russia continued their nightly exchange of long-range drones overnight into Wednesday. Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that its forces downed at least 195 Ukrainian drones, including five over Moscow region of which two were “flying toward” the capital.
Russia’s federal air transport agency, Rosaviatsiya, said flight restrictions were introduced at two of Moscow’s four international airports — Domodedovo and Vnukovo — during the attacks. Restrictions were also put in place at airports in Volgograd, Yaroslavl, Orenburg, Ufa and Orsk, Rosaviatsiya said.
The Grand Kremlin Palace and churches are seen behind the Kremlin Wall in Moscow, Russia, on Dec. 8, 2025.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Ukraine’s air force, meanwhile, said Russia launched 116 drones into the country overnight, of which 60 were shot down or suppressed. Forty-eight drones impacted across 19 locations, the air force said.
On Tuesday night, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian repair crews were working to restore power after a major Russian drone and missile strike on Monday night. “Throughout the day, repair crews have been working at energy facilities — putting in maximum effort to ensure that Ukrainians have electricity for Christmas,” Zelenskyy said.
“Of course, the Russians are trying to ruin this holiday, this sacred day, as well. No surprise there,” Zelenskyy added.
Zelenskyy also offered an update on the progress of peace talks, after members of Ukraine’s negotiating team met with U.S. officials over the weekend in Miami, Florida.
In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, recruits attend drills at a training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on Dec. 12, 2025.
Andriy Andriyenko/AP
The Ukrainian delegation “reported on the working drafts of agreements that already exist, and on points of the agreements we have managed to strengthen,” on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said.
On Monday, Zelenskyy said the U.S. and Ukraine are working to agree on a 20-point peace plan, as well as separate deals regarding security guarantees and an economic development plan for Ukraine.
The negotiating teams “are very close to a real outcome,” Zelenskyy added.
ABC News’ Ellie Kaufman contributed to this report.
Source: abc news
