Summary

  • Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump have both described their meeting in Florida as "great" and "terrific"

  • Zelensky says the 20-point peace plan is 90% agreed, while Trump says a security guarantee for Ukraine is "close to 95%" done

  • But the US president also says "one or two very thorny issues" remain - with land still being the most difficult one

  • An agreement on a free-trade zone in Donbas is also "unresolved", Trump says

  • On Russia, Trump says Vladimir Putin has not agreed to a ceasefire to allow any referendums to take place - something Ukraine says is essential for resolving territorial issues

  • Notably, both Trump and Zelensky did not offer any timelines, instead vowing to have their teams meet again in the coming weeks, writes our reporter Bernd Debusmann Jr

Media caption,
Trump: Agreement on Donbas 'unresolved' but 'getting closer'
  1. Number of injured rises to 32, Kyiv mayor sayspublished at 16:51 GMT 27 December 2025

    The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, has just provided an update on social media about the number of people injured in the Russian drone attack on the region.

    Klitschko says that 32 people have been injured, and of those people 11 are in hospital being treated.

  2. Clashes continue as Moscow claims drones shot downpublished at 16:43 GMT 27 December 2025

    Clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces have continued throughout the day, with Ukrainian officials reporting 62 since the start of the morning.

    "Border settlements, in particular Rogizne, Ulanov, and Hirky in the Sumy region, are suffering from artillery shelling," the general staff of Ukraine's armed forces writes on the messaging app Telegram.

    It also describes a series of "combat clashes", including several which are "ongoing". It says Ukrainian forces stopped Russian forces from advancing in some areas on the front line.

    Earlier, Russia's defence ministry said it had shot down 111 Ukrainian drones this afternoon between 15:00 and 18:00 Moscow time (12:00 - 15:00 GMT) today. It said 73 were shot down over the Bryansk region, while eight were destroyed over Moscow.

    Soldiers of the 152nd Jaeger Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces load a shell into a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launch system at their front line position.Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    A Ukrainian soldier loading a shell into a rocket launcher on 25 December

  3. Geneva, Berlin, Miami: A recent history of talks to end the warpublished at 16:17 GMT 27 December 2025

    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff talk to each other as Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen look on following a family photo opportunity at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025Image source, Kay Nietfeld/Pool via Reuters

    Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky's upcoming meeting in Florida is the latest in a series of diplomatic efforts involving the US and Ukraine's European allies aimed at ending the war. Let's take a look at the most recent.

    28-point peace plan

    In November, details of a US-backed 28-point peace plan emerged. This was widely seen as favourable to Russia, requiring Ukraine to concede territory, reduce the size of its army, and pledge not to join Nato.

    Zelensky said his country risked either losing its dignity, or losing US support. European allies criticised the plan.

    Geneva talks

    Talks followed in Geneva on 23 November, with delegations sent by the US, Ukraine and its European allies. Details of a European counter-proposal with terms more favourable to Ukraine were widely reported, although the BBC could not independently verify them.

    Russia-US talks

    Talks between Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff at the start of December failed to produce a breakthrough. A Kremlin spokesman said the Moscow meeting was "constructive", but parts of the plan remained unacceptable to Russia.

    US-Ukraine talks

    This was followed by three days of talks in Miami between Zelensky's chief negotiator Rustem Umerov and his US counterparts.

    Shortly afterwards, Trump accused Zelensky of not having read the revised draft plan, but Zelensky said he was waiting to be briefed by his negotiators "in person".

    Berlin talks

    In mid-December, the US said it was ready to offer Ukraine Nato-like security guarantees to safeguard an eventual ceasefire, following talks in Berlin.

    Zelensky signalled for the first time that as a "compromise" he would give up ambitions to join Nato in exchange for strong guarantees.

    20-point plan

    Shortly before Christmas, US and Ukrainian envoys said three days of talks in Miami aimed at ending the war with Russia had been "productive and constructive".

    Witkoff and Umerov said the meeting focused on aligning positions on a 20-point plan - seen as an update of the original 28-point document.

  4. As negotiations resume, what's the situation on the ground?published at 15:59 GMT 27 December 2025

    Map showing which areas of east of Ukraine are under Russian military control or limited Russian control highlighting the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Crimea

    Territorial issues are central to ongoing negotiations brokered by the US to end the war in Ukraine. So what's the situation on the ground?

    In eastern Ukraine, Moscow's forces have been churning mile by mile through the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk - collectively known as Donbas - surrounding and overwhelming towns and villages.

    Russia has been trying to gain full control of the area alongside two more regions to the west, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

    Shortly after the 2022 invasion, Moscow held referendums to try to annexe all these regions in the same way it did Crimea in 2014, but its forces have never had them under full control.

    In the past week, Kyiv has said its troops have withdrawn from the embattled eastern town of Siversk - bringing the Russians closer to the last “fortress belt” cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region.

  5. 'Common vision' with US important, Zelensky sayspublished at 15:43 GMT 27 December 2025

    In another statement posted on Telegram, Zelensky says Ukraine is working with the US on a recovery roadmap to 2040.

    It will focus on the return of refugees, economic prosperity including new jobs, and accession to the European Union, he says.

    Zelensky adds: "We estimate that we need somewhere around 700-800 billion for reconstruction".

    He says it is "important" that Ukraine has a "common vision" with the US, and references the creation of "several funds", including a reconstruction investment fund involving both countries.

    Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump, both seated, shake hands while sitting on ornate, yellow chairs in the Oval Office.Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Zelensky and Trump during a previous White House meeting in August

  6. Zelensky says 'security guarantees most important thing' ahead of talks with Trumppublished at 15:30 GMT 27 December 2025

    We've just seen a series of new statements from Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of his peace talks with Donald Trump in Florida.

    Security guarantees are "the most important thing" he says, and they should be "strong, and we be protected".

    He says that "today Russia has demonstrated how it responds" to attempts by the US and Ukraine to negotiate peace by attacking Ukraine.

    Talks need to ensure unresolved issues are kept at a minimum, Zelensky says. "Of course, there are red lines for Ukraine" he says, but adds that there are "compromise proposals".

    He adds a call for additional weapons from Europe: "We need more missiles because Russia is attacking more".

  7. Latest pictures from Kyiv strikes as recovery efforts continuepublished at 15:15 GMT 27 December 2025

    Images are continuing to come into us from Kyiv, where emergency services are working to clear up sites across the region that have been hit by Russian drone attacks.

    A metal device is held by three men who are placing it in a bagImage source, EPA/Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    The engine of a Russian drone is removed by Ukrainian policemen

    A man in camouflage gear holds a piece of debris in a snowy sceneImage source, EPA/Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Debris from a Russian drone is inspected by military personnel

    A blackened building surrounded by crumbling debrisImage source, EPA/Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Emergency services in Kyiv say both residential and industrial sites have been hit

  8. Russia says it carried out a 'massive strike' hitting military infrastructurepublished at 14:59 GMT 27 December 2025

    A view from the rubble in KyivImage source, Getty Images

    After the overnight strikes on Kyiv, Russia's defence ministry says it carried out "a massive strike" on the Ukrainian military's "infrastructure facilities".

    "The targets of the strike have been achieved. All designated objects have been hit," it says in a social media update.

    The defence ministry says it used "high-precision long-range ground, air, and sea-based weapons" in the attack.

    As we've been reporting, the Ukrainian capital rose this morning to damaged residential buildings and energy infrastructure. At least two people are known to have been killed and dozens injured, Kyiv authorities say.

  9. Five things to know as Zelensky heads to US for peace talkspublished at 14:42 GMT 27 December 2025

    Rescue workers carry a body bagImage source, EPA/Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Rescue operations are under way after deadly overnight strikes on Kyiv

  10. Leaders from the 'coalition of the willing' to call Zelensky later, Polish PM sayspublished at 14:30 GMT 27 December 2025

    Zelensky sits next to Tusk at a tableImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Tusk (right) and Zelensky met in Poland or talks just over a week ago

    Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk says he'll be one of the European leaders joining a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this afternoon.

    In a post on social media, he says also joining the call to discuss the "prospects for peace" are the leaders of France, Germany, the UK, Italy and the EU - ahead of Zelensky's meeting with Trump in Florida on Sunday.

    As a reminder these leaders form part of the so-called coalition of the willing, a group of countries that have pledged to support Ukraine against Russian aggression.

    Speaking about the overnight attacks on Kyiv, Tusk adds: "Contrary to President Trump's expectations and despite [Zelensky's] readiness to make concessions, Russia has once again brutally attacked Kyiv's residential district."

  11. Russia shoots down six drones headed for Moscow, says mayorpublished at 14:18 GMT 27 December 2025

    A man with white hairImage source, LightRocket via Getty Images

    Moscow's mayor says that the Russian military has shot down six drones headed for the city.

    In a post on Telegram, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin says that the Russian Air Force destroyed three drones, that were "flying towards Moscow".

    Shortly afterwards he adds that "three more drones flying towards Moscow" have been "repelled".

    Emergency services are responding at the crash site, he adds. Ukraine has yet to comment on the reports.

  12. In Kyiv, people hope this is the last winter spent at warpublished at 14:09 GMT 27 December 2025

    Samira Hussain
    Reporting from Kyiv

    Rescuers work in building with huge chunk of exterior wall destroyedImage source, Aamir Peerzada/BBC

    Although Russia’s 10 hour barrage has come to an end, air raid sirens continue to go off periodically in the capital of Kyiv.

    I went to an apartment building in a residential area that was hit by a drone. Crews were already on site, clearing away the debris.

    Okasana Semak spent the night in a shelter and heard an enormous explosion when her building was hit.

    When I ask her how about the peace negotiations, she says she wants the war to come to an end but worries about the cost to the Ukrainian people.

    As a third of the city is without heat, there is hope this is the last winter spent in war.

    Okasana SemakImage source, Aamir Peerzada/BBC
  13. Russia 'simply pretends' it wants peace, says Kyiv residentpublished at 14:00 GMT 27 December 2025

    Kyiv resident Tetiana speaks to reporter off camera. She's wearing a thick black coat and snow can be seen on the ground around her.Image source, Reuters

    Kyiv residents have been speaking to the news agency Reuters about ongoing negotiations to end the war, following overnight strikes on the Ukrainian capital.

    Fifty-nine-year-old accountant Tetiana says Russia "simply pretends" it wants peace.

    "In reality we all know that they do not want it," she adds.

    Similarly, 19-year-old student Dmytro tells the news agency he believes the strikes show ongoing negotiations are "just for show".

    "If something truly needs to be decided, it should happen here and now. Not with meetings here, then there, then elsewhere. Honestly, I’m tired of it all," he adds.

    Mykola, a 42-year-old plumber, says he saw a drone hit a building.

    "I got off the bus stop and was walking along this road... I saw [the] drone flying out of the building and descending."

    He tells Reuters he thought the drone would "fly between the buildings", but that it instead hit the corner.

  14. Watch: 'I was in the lift when it happened' - BBC journalist after home hit in attackpublished at 13:49 GMT 27 December 2025

    "It's awful" says BBC journalist Anastasiya Gribanova, who was in the lift of her building as it was hit by a Russian strike on Kyiv.

    In footage captured in the aftermath of the attack, she describes there being a "loud noise" and a "powerful stench" when the strike hit.

  15. Two dead following Kyiv strikes, authorities saypublished at 13:32 GMT 27 December 2025
    Breaking

    Members of Ukraine's fire service operate in Kyiv in a bombed out flat on a high floor of a residential buildingImage source, EPA/SHUTTERSTOCK

    Kyiv authorities say at least two people have been killed and dozens injured following overnight Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital.

    Emergency services say a woman has died and five more people have been injured - in addition to those we reported earlier.

    It says work is "ongoing", with rescuers working in "four locations in the city". There is destruction and fires in both residential and industrial sectors, it adds.

    In a separate statement, police in Kyiv say a 71-year-old man was killed and his wife seriously injured in the Dnipro district of the capital - and at least 32 people have been injured.

    As it's an active rescue operation, the official number of people killed and injured could change.

  16. Kyiv strikes reveal Putin's true mindset ahead of Ukraine-US talks, says Zelenskypublished at 13:14 GMT 27 December 2025

    Mohamed Madi
    Reporting from Kyiv

    Volodymyr Zelensky was quick to post about last night’s attack, using it again to paint Russian President Vladimir Putin as a man unserious about peace.

    En route to the US to meet Donald Trump, he posts a lengthy statement on his Telegram and X accounts, saying that despite Russia appearing to engage in diplomacy on the surface, the reality was that their “Kinzhals and Shaheds” (ballistic missiles and drones) did the talking for them.

    He also says that while world leaders were focused on the bigger picture of ending the war, Ukraine needs help right now.

    “Supplies for air defense must be sufficient and timely, especially now, when we need them most. There must be no delays in protecting lives”, he warns.

    “Diplomacy will not work without security."

    He says the overnight strikes represent the "true attitude of Putin and his inner circle" and the pressure in response to Russia's persistent attacks is "still insufficient".

    "If Russia turns even the Christmas and New Year period into a time of destroyed homes and burned apartments, of ruined power plants, then this sick activity can only be responded to with truly strong steps. The United States has this capability. Europe has this capability. Many of our partners have this capability. The key is to use it," he says.

  17. Overnight attack latest in string of Russian Christmas strikespublished at 13:03 GMT 27 December 2025

    A firefighter walks through Kyiv destroyed houseImage source, Reuters

    Shortly before the festive period began, President Zelensky warned the Ukrainian population to expect attacks over Christmas.

    On Monday, he said it was Russia's "nature" to "carry out massive attacks" over Christmas - "especially on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th".

    On 23 December, Russia intensified its assault on the southern region of Odesa, the latest in a series of strikes which have disrupted power supplies in the region for days on end and killed several people.

    On the same day, five people were injured when a Russian drone struck a Kyiv apartment block.

    At least three people were reported killed across the country, including a four-year-old.

  18. What we know about the draft peace planpublished at 12:50 GMT 27 December 2025

    Paul Kirby
    Europe digital editor

    This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has detailed some points of an updated peace plan agreed by US and Ukrainian envoys.

    Describing the plan as "the main framework for ending the war", he said it proposed security guarantees from the US, Nato and Europeans for a co-ordinated military response if Russia invaded Ukraine again.

    On the key question of Ukraine's eastern Donbas, Zelensky said a "free economic zone" was a potential option.

    He told journalists that as Ukraine was against withdrawal, US negotiators were looking to establish a demilitarised zone or a free economic zone. Any area that Ukrainian troops pulled out of would have to be policed by Ukraine, he stressed.

    "There are two options," the Ukrainian president added. "Either the war continues, or something will have to be decided regarding all potential economic zones."

    On Friday, Zelensky told reporters that the 20-point plan was 90% complete: "Our task is to make sure everything is 100% ready."

  19. Trump and Zelensky expected to discuss draft 20-point peace planpublished at 12:29 GMT 27 December 2025

    Zelensky and Steve WitkoffImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Zelensky's new peace plan is an updated version of US envoy Steve Witkoff's (right) 28-point proposal

    When they meet in Florida on Sunday, it's expected Trump and Zelensky will discuss a 20-point proposal to end the war.

    It's an updated take on an earlier 28-point version, which had been drawn up between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian negotiators.

    Trump has kept his cards relatively close to his chest, but told Politico earlier this week: "I think it's going to go good with [Zelensky]. I think it's going to go good with Putin."

    Before the Russian drone and missile strikes on Kyiv overnight, Ukraine's leader had also appeared optimistic at the possibility of reaching an agreement with the US.

    On Thursday he said a call with Witkoff and Trump adviser Jared Kushner had yielded "new ideas in terms of formats, meetings, and... timing on how to bring a real peace closer".

    He said the plan now includes security guarantees from the US and Europe against any future Russian invasion, and accepts Ukraine might be willing to withdraw troops from Russian-occupied territory, if Moscow does the same.

    However, after the latest strikes on Kyiv, Zelensky repeated his claim that Russia does "not want to end the war and is trying to use every opportunity to inflict more pain on Ukraine".

  20. Zelensky to speak with allies ahead of Trump meetingpublished at 12:15 GMT 27 December 2025

    Zelensky and Von Der LeyenImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Zelensky and Von Der Leyen pictured at a meeting in August. The two will speak again on the phone with other European leaders today

    As we've been reporting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is on his way to Florida, to meet US President Donald Trump to discuss the latest proposal to end the war in Ukraine.

    Ahead of that meeting on Sunday, Zelensky is expected to speak on the phone with EU leaders and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

    While on the plane to Florida, Zelensky tells reporters that he'll be stopping over in Canada on the way, to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney.

    In a post on social media, Zelensky thanks allies for providing air defence supplies, adding that diplomacy would "not work without security".

    "We will be discussing this in particular today and tomorrow with European leaders, with the Prime Minister of Canada, and with the President of the United States," he says.