US President Donald Trump publicly rebuked his Ukrainian counterpart on 7 December, claiming Volodymyr Zelenskyy "hasn't yet read" the latest American peace proposal despite Trump's assertion that both Russia and Zelenskyy's own advisers support it. Hours later, Zelenskyy announced a diplomatic offensive across European capitals, with meetings scheduled in London and Brussels this week to coordinate security guarantees before any formal peace negotiations with Russia.
The public clash signals growing strain in US-Ukraine relations as Trump pushes for rapid negotiations, forcing Zelenskyy to shore up European support before Washington potentially forces Kyiv into talks on terms favorable to Moscow.
Trump's public rebuke escalates diplomatic pressure
"I have to say that I'm a little bit disappointed that President Zelenskyy hasn't yet read the proposal," Trump said in remarks to reporters. "That was as of a few hours ago. His people love it, but he hasn't read it. Russia's fine with it."
The paradoxical framing—suggesting Zelenskyy's own team supports a plan their president allegedly hasn't reviewed—appears designed to create internal pressure on the Ukrainian leadership. Trump added that "Russia, I guess, rather have the whole country when you think of it. But Russia is, I believe, fine with it."
The remarks fit a pattern: Trump has consistently framed Ukraine—not Russia—as the obstacle to peace, while avoiding similar pressure on Moscow.
Zelenskyy launches European diplomatic week
In his 7 December video address, Zelenskyy announced: "We are starting a new diplomatic week right now—there will be consultations with European leaders."
The agenda: "First and foremost, security issues, support for our resilience, and support packages for our defense. First and foremost, air defense and long-term funding for Ukraine." He added that leaders would "discuss a shared vision and common positions in the negotiations."
"We have meetings scheduled in London and Brussels," Zelenskyy said. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host the London talks on 8 December, with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also attending.
Zelenskyy spoke with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on 7 December. "The conversation was very substantive," he said, adding that he counts "on Italy continuing to stand with Ukraine on the path to peace. Giorgia and I were able to discuss many prospects and many different options today."
He also noted he remains "in constant contact with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the European Commission, the NATO Secretary General, and other partners."
What Ukraine told Trump's envoys
Zelenskyy revealed substantive talks had taken place between Ukrainian officials and Trump's representatives.
"Yesterday, we spoke with Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner—thank you for your readiness to work together 24/7," he said. "The American envoys are aware of Ukraine's core positions, and the conversation was constructive, though not easy."
National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and Chief of General Staff Andrii Hnatov are traveling to Europe. The Ukrainian president expects "detailed information from them on everything that was said to the American envoys in Moscow, and on the nuances the Americans are prepared to modify."
"Some issues can only be discussed in person," Zelenskyy added—a recognition that phone diplomacy has limits when negotiating Ukraine's survival.
Locking in European support
The timing of Zelenskyy's European tour is strategic: locking in European commitments before Trump potentially offers Russia terms Kyiv cannot accept.
"Ukraine deserves a dignified peace, and whether there will be peace depends entirely on Russia—on our collective pressure on Russia and on the sound negotiating positions of the United States, Europe, and all our other partners," Zelenskyy said.
He emphasized that European leaders must develop "a shared vision and common positions in negotiations"—language suggesting Kyiv wants binding European alignment that could constrain Washington's room to maneuver.
The unseen proposal
Trump's claim that "Russia's fine with it" while Zelenskyy allegedly hasn't read the plan raises questions about its contents. No details have been publicly released. Previous proposals from Trump's team have included territorial concessions, caps on Ukrainian military forces, and postponing NATO membership—demands critics have called a blueprint for Russian victory.
Zelenskyy's insistence that "Russia must be held accountable for what it is doing—for the daily strikes, for the constant terror against our people, and for the war itself" suggests significant gaps remain between American proposals and Ukrainian red lines.
The week ahead will reveal whether Europe can offer Zelenskyy enough to strengthen his negotiating position—or whether Washington's pressure will force Ukraine into talks under duress.
