### Progress Towards a Ukraine Peace Deal: Key Issues and Challenges The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion in February 2022, has seen significant developments recently. Keith Kellogg, the outgoing U.S. envoy for Ukraine under President Donald Trump, has stated that a peace deal to end the war is "really close." This assertion hinges on resolving two critical issues: the future of the Donbas region and the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which remains under Russian control. However, the Kremlin has responded by demanding "radical changes" to the U.S. proposals, indicating that negotiations are still fraught with challenges and complexities [https://www.firstpost.com/world/ukraine-peace-deal-really-close-as-talks-hinge-on-donbas-and-nuclear-plant-says-us-envoy-13957517.html, https://www.thedailystar.net/news/world/news/ukraine-peace-deal-close-4053011]. ### Structure of the Current Negotiations 1. **Key Issues Identified**: - The future of the **Donbas region**, which has been a focal point of conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists. - The status of the **Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant**, Europe's largest, which is currently under Russian control and poses significant safety concerns. 2. **U.S. Position**: - The U.S. envoy believes that the peace deal is in its "final stretch," suggesting that resolution of the identified issues could lead to a formal agreement [https://www.koha.net/en/index.php/bote/marreveshja-e-paqes-per-ukrainen-eshte-afer-thote-i-derguari-i-trumpit]. 3. **Russian Response**: - The Kremlin has indicated that the U.S. proposals require "radical changes," suggesting that there are substantial disagreements that need to be addressed before a deal can be finalized [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/ukraine-war-deal-close-us-russia-donbas-nuclear-power-plant-5566366]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Casualty Figures**: The war has resulted in approximately **two million casualties**, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution [https://gvwire.com/2025/12/07/us-envoy-says-ukraine-peace-deal-close-but-moscow-wants-radical-changes]. - **Historical Context**: The conflict has roots in an eight-year struggle involving Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region, which complicates the peace negotiations [https://english.aawsat.com/world/5216795-us-envoy-kellogg-says-ukraine-peace-deal-really-close]. ### Conclusion: A Path Forward In summary, the potential for a peace deal to end the Ukraine war appears to be within reach, contingent upon resolving two major issues: the Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. However, the Kremlin's demand for significant changes to U.S. proposals indicates that substantial hurdles remain. 1. **Current Status**: The U.S. envoy claims negotiations are nearing completion, but the Kremlin's response suggests ongoing challenges. 2. **Key Issues**: The future of the Donbas and the nuclear plant are pivotal to any agreement. 3. **Urgency for Resolution**: With millions affected by the conflict, a swift resolution is critical for regional stability and humanitarian relief. The situation remains dynamic, and continued diplomatic efforts will be essential to navigate the complexities of these negotiations [https://thenightly.com.au/world/ukraine-peace-deal-is-really-close-us-special-envoy-keith-kellogg-claims-c-20925496].