U.S. and Ukraine Reach Consensus on Key Issues to End War, But Sensitive Issues Remain Unresolved

In a significant breakthrough, the United States and Ukraine have reached a consensus on several critical issues aimed at bringing an end to the nearly four-year conflict, according to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, sensitive issues around territorial control in Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, along with the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, remain unresolved.

The consensus was reached after intense diplomatic efforts by the U.S. and Ukraine, with the two sides agreeing on key issues such as ceasefire protocols, prisoner exchanges, and humanitarian aid. According to Zelenskyy, the agreement marks a significant step towards ending the conflict, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction.

The agreement was announced on December 24, 2025, just days before the fourth anniversary of the conflict. Zelenskyy spoke at a media conference at the EU Summit in Brussels on December 18, 2025, where he expressed optimism about the prospects for peace. "We have made significant progress in recent weeks, and I believe that we are on the right track," he said.

However, despite the progress made, sensitive issues remain unresolved. The management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been a major concern for international leaders, is still a point of contention. The plant, which is Europe's largest nuclear power plant, has been occupied by Russian forces since 2021, raising fears of a nuclear disaster.

The territorial control in Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, also known as the Donbas region, is another sensitive issue that remains unresolved. The region has been the epicenter of the conflict, with Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists engaged in a bitter struggle for control.

According to experts, the agreement reached by the U.S. and Ukraine is a significant step towards ending the conflict, but much work remains to be done. "This agreement is a good start, but it's just the beginning," said John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. "The real challenge will be implementing the agreement and addressing the sensitive issues that remain unresolved."

The current status of the agreement is that both sides have agreed to continue negotiations, with the U.S. and Ukraine working together to address the outstanding issues. The next steps will be crucial in determining the success of the agreement, with many experts warning that the conflict could escalate if the sensitive issues are not addressed.

In a statement, the U.S. Department of State said that it was "encouraged" by the progress made and was committed to continuing negotiations with Ukraine. "We believe that a peaceful resolution to the conflict is in the best interests of both Ukraine and the United States," said a spokesperson.

As the conflict enters its fifth year, the international community is watching closely to see if the agreement reached by the U.S. and Ukraine will bring an end to the bloodshed. While much work remains to be done, the consensus on key issues is a significant step towards peace, and a glimmer of hope for the people of Ukraine.