Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness to collaborate with the United States on a draft peace plan to end the war with Russia, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic efforts. In his nightly address, Zelensky acknowledged US proposals aimed at resolving the conflict, which he termed as ‘their vision,’ while emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to a lasting peace that respects its dignity and prevents future invasions.
The leaked plan emerged from discussions between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, involving provisions that Ukraine had previously rejected. These include ceding control of parts of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, reducing the size of its military, and forgoing NATO membership. The White House has pushed back on claims that Kyiv was excluded, stating that Ukrainian officials, including Rustem Umerov, were involved in modifying the draft before it reached Zelensky.
European allies have not been included in the US-Russia negotiations, leading to concerns about the plan’s legitimacy and completeness. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described it as not yet a fully fledged plan but rather ‘a list of topics and options,’ while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that any viable agreement must involve Ukrainians and Europeans to ensure long-term stability.
Specific details of the draft proposal call for limiting Ukraine’s military to 600,000 personnel, with European fighter jets potentially stationed in Poland, and offering ‘reliable security guarantees’ to Kyiv, though specifics remain unclear. It also suggests reintegrating Russia into the global economy by lifting sanctions and inviting it back into the G7 group, effectively restoring the G8 format that existed before Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Zelensky is scheduled to speak with US President Donald Trump in the coming days to discuss the proposals, as the Trump administration prioritizes securing a peace deal. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the plan as ‘good for both sides’ and asserted that the US engaged equally with Ukraine and Russia in its development, aiming for a durable resolution to the conflict.
The context for these diplomatic moves includes Russia’s recent territorial advances in eastern Ukraine and a domestic corruption scandal in Kyiv implicating top officials in a $100 million scheme, adding pressure on Zelensky to seek a resolution. Meanwhile, Moscow has downplayed the plan’s significance, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that no formal consultations are underway and reiterating demands to address the ‘root causes of the conflict,’ a phrase often used to justify maximalist positions.
As the war approaches its fourth anniversary, military actions continue, with a Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia killing at least five people and Ukrainian drones targeting Russian regions. Zelensky’s careful approach aims to maintain US support while advocating for a ‘worthy peace,’ as European countries like the UK and France consider providing forces to uphold any future agreement.
