**Zelensky Open to Working Directly with Trump on Ukraine Peace Plan Amidst Ongoing Conflict**

Amid the intensifying conflict with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his desire to collaborate directly with US President-elect Donald Trump, hoping for a swift resolution to the ongoing war. Zelensky, acknowledging the various influences surrounding Trump, emphasized the necessity of direct communication to avoid any misunderstandings.

Trump's approach to achieving peace remains vague, although analysts speculate that it might involve Ukraine conceding territory to Russia. This speculation marks a significant shift, as Zelensky had previously been steadfast in his goal to reclaim regions like Crimea. With Trump's election and Russia's rapid territorial gains in the east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure.

Earlier this year, Zelensky presented a peace proposal that included Ukraine joining NATO and enhancing military support from the alliance. This five-step "victory plan" forms the crux of Zelensky's strategy to end hostilities. In a discussion with Trump, following his election victory, Zelensky reiterated these points. Unexpectedly, Elon Musk also joined the conversation, pledging continued support via Starlink satellites for Ukraine.

A source close to the discussions assured that nothing alarming was heard from Trump or his team that would suggest Ukraine is being unfairly burdened. This reassurance comes in the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent threats and continued military aggression, which included the potential use of the new Oreshnik hypersonic missiles.

Putin's threats escalated after the US permitted Ukraine to utilize long-range missiles, such as ATACMS and British Storm Shadow rockets, against targets within Russia. Ukraine launched these missiles for the first time in mid-November, marking a significant development in the conflict.

Post-election, reports indicated that Trump might seek to establish a demilitarized zone along the front lines, freezing the conflict in its current state. Although this plan would delay Ukraine's NATO membership by two decades, the US would continue to provide extensive military support to deter further Russian aggression. The exact mechanism for policing this demilitarized zone remains uncertain, with no American or international troops expected to be involved directly.

Meanwhile, Russia's aggressive advances have resulted in significant losses, with thousands of troops reportedly killed in a single day, marking one of the deadliest periods of the conflict so far. Despite these losses, Russia continues to seize Ukrainian territory at an alarming rate, posing an ongoing challenge for Ukraine and its allies.