US says Ukraine has accepted peace deal framework, Zelensky says talks still ongoing

US President Donald Trump gestures as he greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives for a meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, on October 17, 2025. (Photo by TOM BRENNER / AFP)

The United States has said that Ukraine has agreed to the terms of a potential peace deal aimed at ending Russia’s full-scale invasion, with only minor issues still needing to be resolved. According to US officials quoted by ABC News and CBS News, Kyiv had accepted the deal in principle, signalling possible progress in long-running efforts to bring the conflict to an end.

Speculation about a breakthrough grew after US President Donald Trump posted on social media on Monday that “big progress” was being made on a peace agreement for Ukraine. At the same time, US and Russian delegations are now holding talks in Abu Dhabi, following discussions in Geneva over the weekend that helped ease strong opposition from Kyiv and European allies to a previously proposed 28-point peace plan.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky struck a more cautious note, saying negotiations with Washington were still continuing and not finalised.

“Communication with the American side continues,” Zelensky said in a post on X after speaking with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday. “I am grateful for all of America’s efforts and personally for President Trump’s efforts.”

Zelensky’s comments suggest that while progress has been made, Ukraine has not yet declared the deal complete. He has consistently stressed the need for any agreement to fully safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.

The latest round of diplomacy points to intense behind-the-scenes engagement involving the United States, Ukraine and Russia. The outcome of the Abu Dhabi talks is expected to play a crucial role in determining whether the tentative agreement moves towards formal adoption or undergoes further revisions.

ABC News has reported that the original 28-point peace plan presented by the United States to Ukraine in Geneva has now been reduced to 19 points. The revised version removes provisions related to amnesty for actions carried out during the war and no longer proposes limits on the future size of Ukraine’s military.

Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy said during a televised address on Monday night that the updated plan still requires further work and discussion.

Following the weekend talks, Russian officials said they had not been informed about the details of what was discussed in Geneva or about the changes made to the peace plan after the talks between US and Ukrainian representatives.