The Trump administration has unveiled a 28-point peace plan aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, stirring controversy across Europe and intense debate in Kyiv. The plan, crafted through direct discussions with Russian and Ukrainian officials, would require Ukraine to make significant territorial concessions, including ceding the Donbas region and Crimea, while formally renouncing its aspirations to join NATO.
Key Proposals and Reactions
- The new Trump-backed framework proposes security guarantees for Ukraine reminiscent of NATO protections, enforced by a proposed Peace Council chaired by President Trump.
- Ukraine would have to cap its military, maintain non-nuclear status, and grant Russia commercial access to the Dnipro river, while Russia would agree to non-aggression terms and greater transparency in international arms control.
- The plan has been presented to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by a U.S. delegation; while Zelenskyy called it a “vision,” he emphasized that any agreement must guarantee a “real and durable peace” for Ukraine.
- Ukrainian and European officials have expressed deep reservations, highlighting concerns that the territorial concessions demanded closely mirror the Kremlin’s long-standing terms, many of which Kyiv has previously rejected.
International Impact and Next Steps
As European capitals scramble to formulate unified responses, U.S. officials have threatened to curtail weapons and intelligence support for Ukraine if the peace plan falters. The draft proposal, and its reception, mark a critical juncture for war diplomacy, with Ukraine, Russia, and the West now facing profound strategic, moral, and political choices.