A proposed 28-point peace plan presented by the Trump administration has become the center of intense diplomatic efforts, with the plan reportedly aligning with several key Russian demands to end the ongoing conflict. The proposal has been met with concern from European allies and cautious, non-committal statements from Ukrainian leadership.
The draft peace plan, reportedly formulated by US and Russian envoys, outlines terms that would require significant concessions from Ukraine. According to the details reported by multiple media outlets, the plan would grant Russia "de facto" recognition of its control over Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk, including territories in Donetsk it does not currently hold. The remaining unoccupied parts of Donbas would be turned into a demilitarized zone.
The proposal would also require Ukraine to constitutionally renounce any future membership in the NATO alliance and cap the size of its armed forces at 600,000 troops. In return, the plan suggests that Ukraine would receive unspecified "robust security guarantees" from the United States, though these details are not elaborated upon. For Russia, the plan offers a path to reintegration into the global economy, including the lifting of sanctions and a return to the G8 group of industrialized nations.
The proposal has triggered a swift and complex diplomatic response. European leaders, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, stated they were not consulted and emphasized that any viable plan must have the support of both Ukraine and Europe. A senior European official familiar with the proposal characterized it as a list of "points to satisfy Putin".
In Kyiv, the reception has been cautious. President Zelensky's office confirmed receiving the draft and agreed to work with American officials on its provisions, stating Ukraine would do nothing to "disrupt any diplomatic efforts". However, a significant controversy arose after U.S. officials claimed that Rustem Umerov, a top Ukrainian security official, had agreed to the majority of the plan after making modifications. Umerov publicly denied this, stating his role was merely technical and that he provided no assessments or approvals of any points.
The diplomatic push occurs amidst a challenging period for Ukraine on the battlefield. Russian forces have been engaged in fierce fighting in the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk, which they see as a gateway to capturing the remainder of the Donbas region. While Russian officials have claimed control over key areas like the city of Kupiansk, the Ukrainian military has denied these assertions, stating that their forces continue to hold these positions and are actively countering Russian advances, despite videos showing to the contrary. This military pressure forms the backdrop against which Ukraine must consider the demanding terms of the proposed peace plan.