Heightened diplomatic coordination before key US-Ukraine talks
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky journeyed toward a high-profile summit with Donald Trump in Florida, his stopover in Canada and subsequent discussions with Western allies underscored a synchronized diplomatic campaign to consolidate international backing for Ukraine. In Halifax, Prime Minister Mark Carney reiterated that achieving lasting peace in Ukraine requires more than a ceasefire it demands a tangible readiness from Moscow to engage in constructive resolution efforts.
The Canadian government reaffirmed its stance that peace must not be built on concessions but on a rules-based order, emphasizing that Ukraine’s sovereignty remains non-negotiable. Canada’s early engagement, both financially and symbolically, set the tone for broader multilateral reinforcement just ahead of the Trump-Zelensky dialogue.
European leaders echo unified support
Following his Canadian stop, Zelensky held calls with senior leaders across the EU and NATO, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa. According to German sources, Zelensky secured what was described as “comprehensive support” from Europe, highlighting a unified Western approach to Ukraine’s wartime resilience and peacetime reconstruction.
Ursula von der Leyen stressed that lasting peace must be both just and sustainable, rooted in the protection of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. She framed Ukraine’s security development as inseparable from the broader security of Europe, thus reinforcing a causal connection between Ukraine’s military capabilities and regional geopolitical stability.
Meanwhile, Antonio Costa emphasized that the EU’s support would persist not only during the war but throughout the reconstruction period. He argued that a “strong and prosperous Ukraine within the EU” represents a cornerstone of continental security, aligning the goals of economic recovery and political integration.
A multi-layered peace framework under negotiation
Zelensky confirmed that his meeting with Donald Trump on December 28 would center around a 20-point peace plan aimed at freezing frontline activity. The framework reportedly includes the withdrawal of Russian troops from Eastern Ukraine and the establishment of demilitarized zones. Zelensky has also emphasized the critical importance of security guarantees, weaponry, and financial aid from the United States and European allies.
A major component of these discussions involves Ukraine’s reconstruction roadmap, which Kyiv estimates will require between $700 billion and $800 billion. This plan is being drafted in close coordination with Washington and Brussels, pointing to a deepening interdependence between military stabilization and economic renewal.
Approximately 90% of the 20-point peace plan has been finalized, but major obstacles remain particularly around territorial questions, the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, and formal security assurances from the US. Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would not concede sovereign territory, though he indicated openness to discussing the creation of a demilitarized free economic zone in contested areas if Russia agrees to withdraw.
Strategic sequencing of diplomatic efforts
Following his meeting with Trump, Zelensky plans to return to Europe for additional talks with EU leaders to fortify diplomatic alignment ahead of future peace negotiations. This sequencing reflects a coordinated strategy to maintain leverage across parallel negotiations and ensure Ukraine enters any settlement process from a position of strength.
In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Kyiv and its Western partners of refusing to engage in constructive peace efforts. Moscow continues to reject preconditions tied to territorial concessions or Western-designed frameworks, framing them as incompatible with its interests and sovereignty concerns.
The alignment of Canada, the EU, and NATO ahead of Zelensky’s talks with Donald Trump reflects a calculated effort to reinforce Ukraine’s diplomatic weight and define clear boundaries for a fair peace process. As reconstruction plans and demilitarization strategies move toward formalization, Ukraine’s allies are working to ensure that any negotiated settlement is rooted in sovereignty, security, and long-term economic recovery a message aimed not only at Moscow but also at Washington.