Russia says Ukrainian drones are attacking Moscow, while Zelensky says Kiev is ready to reach an agreement
LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday he believes the United States “wants to reach a final agreement” to end the war in Ukraine, with Kiev offering its full support for a peace deal.
Zelensky said: “We feel that America wants to reach a final agreement, and on our part there is full cooperation.” “Ukraine has never been and will never be an obstacle to peace.”
Ukraine and Russia continued their nightly exchange of long-range drones throughout the night into Wednesday. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that its forces shot down at least 195 Ukrainian drones, including five over the Moscow region, including two that were “flying towards” the capital.
Russia’s federal air transport agency, Rozavyatsia, said flight restrictions were imposed at two of Moscow’s four international airports – Domodedovo and Vnukovo – during the attacks. Rozavyatsia said restrictions were also imposed at airports in Volgograd, Yaroslavl, Orenburg, Ufa and Orsk.
The Grand Kremlin Palace and churches behind the Kremlin Wall in Moscow, Russia, on December 8, 2025.
Alexander Zemlyanichenko/AFP
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force said Russia launched 116 drones into the country overnight, of which 60 were shot down or suppressed. The Air Force said 48 drones struck 19 sites.
On Tuesday night, Zelensky said Ukrainian repair crews were working to restore power after a major Russian missile and drone strike on Monday night. “Throughout the day, repair crews were working at energy facilities, doing their best to ensure that Ukrainians have electricity for Christmas,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky added: “Of course, the Russians are trying to spoil this holiday, and this holy day as well. There is no surprise.”
At a press conference in Kiev on Tuesday, Zelensky revealed details of the 20-point peace plan negotiated with the United States and which Moscow is now reviewing.
Zelensky told reporters that all parties are “much closer” to finalizing the documents. Zelensky added that Kiev expects to receive a response from Moscow on Wednesday.
In this photo provided by the press service of the 65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine, conscripts attend training at a training ground in Zaporizhya region, Ukraine, on December 12, 2025.
Andrey Andreyenko/AP
The proposed framework includes security guarantees from the United States, NATO and European partners, although regional issues remain unresolved. Under the draft plan, Ukraine would hold presidential elections as soon as possible after the signing of any agreement.
Zelensky said the agreement would see Article 5-style security guarantees applied if Russia attacks the country again, even without Ukraine’s NATO membership. Zelensky stressed again that Kiev rejects any ban on joining the alliance, which is a major Russian demand.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been informed of recent US communications.
“We now intend to formulate our future position based on the information received by the head of state and to continue our contacts in the very near future through the current channels currently operating,” TASS news agency quoted Peskov as saying.
Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Moscow and Washington have “significant similarities” in their positions on a potential settlement.
ABC News’ Eli Kaufman, Dada Jovanovic and Yuliya Drozd contributed to this report.
