Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated his readiness to collaborate with the United States on an American proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia. This plan, reportedly leaked widely, suggests that Kyiv might have to cede significant territories in the Donetsk region under its control, reduce its military size, and agree not to join NATOāstipulations Ukraine has previously rejected. Despite the White House countering claims that Ukraine was excluded from the drafting phase, the plan appears to favor Moscow significantly, drawing a measured response from Kyiv.
Since Russia's large-scale invasion began in February 2022, Ukraine has largely depended on US military support. However, under President Donald Trump, the US has shifted its stance, emphasizing that NATO allies should finance further aid and prioritizing the establishment of a peace agreement. The draft, formed during discussions between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, comes as Russia reports minor territorial gains in eastern Ukraine and as Zelensky tackles a domestic corruption scandal.
In a recent address, President Zelensky mentioned, "US military officials in Kyiv presented their proposals and points for a plan to end the warātheir vision." He emphasized Ukraine's fundamental stance from the start of the conflict: a need for genuine, enduring peace. Kyiv and its European partnerships have long advocated for a "just and lasting" peace to prevent further territorial aggression by Russia, which has annexed Crimea and four partially occupied regions since the invasion began.
Despite US efforts, European leaders find themselves excluded from the dialogue. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul commented that the proposal is not yet comprehensiveāa sentiment echoed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's description of it as "a list of topics and options." The leaked draft hints at limiting Ukraine's military to 600,000 personnel with European jets stationed in Poland, securing ill-defined "reliable security guarantees" for Ukraine, and expecting non-expansion of NATO alongside Russia's non-aggression pledge.
Further, the plan proposes reintegrating Russia into the global economy by lifting sanctions and re-inviting it to the G7, transforming it back into the G8. Zelensky plans to discuss this proposition with Trump shortly, which also includes curtailments for Ukraine's armament. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected claims that these demands signify major compromises for Ukraine or its exclusion from talks, asserting that both sides were equally engaged. The US has intensively worked on this proposal, involving both factions to explore commitments for lasting peace, with expectations of acceptance from both as per an unnamed senior US official who revealed that the plan had Ukrainian engagement from the outset via Rustem Umerov of Zelensky's administration.