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Russia Awaits Official US Peace Plan as Ukraine Weighs Controversial Proposals
Moscow stated Friday it has yet to receive formal details of a US-brokered peace proposal for Ukraine, even as Kyiv signals cautious openness to discussions with the Trump administration. The draft plan, widely leaked this week, includes concessions Ukraine had previously rejected-such as territorial losses in Donetsk, military downsizing, and a NATO membership ban-provisions critics call heavily favorable to Russia.
Overnight Russian strikes killed six civilians-five in the southern Zaporizhzhia region and one in Dnipropetrovsk-as the war's 21st month grinds on. The proposed terms emerge amid Moscow's incremental territorial gains in eastern Ukraine and a corruption scandal engulfing top Ukrainian officials, accused of embezzling $100 million.
Kyiv's Cautious Response and US Claims of Consultation
President Volodymyr Zelensky's office described the US plan as a potential "diplomatic reinvigoration," though it stopped short of endorsement. Zelensky himself struck a diplomatic tone, expressing appreciation for "President Trump and his team's efforts to restore European security," according to a statement Thursday. He is expected to discuss the proposals with Trump in the coming days.
The White House dismissed claims that Ukraine was excluded from the plan's drafting, citing meetings between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev. An unnamed US official told CBS News the document was finalized "immediately" after consultations with Rustem Umerov, a senior Zelensky advisor, who allegedly agreed to "the majority" of its terms before presenting it to the president. Umerov later clarified on Telegram that he had neither approved nor assessed the plan, emphasizing Kyiv was still "carefully considering" the proposals.
"For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans onboard."
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, addressing the lack of European involvement
Kremlin's Stance and Trump's Frustration
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov confirmed Moscow had seen "new elements" in the leaked plan but had "not received anything officially." He reiterated Russia's openness to negotiations while insisting any deal must address the "root causes of the conflict"-a euphemism for demands Kyiv views as tantamount to surrender, including recognition of annexed territories and demilitarization.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has grown increasingly impatient with Moscow, imposing fresh sanctions on Russia's two largest oil producers-Rosneft and Gazprom Neft-effective Friday. The measures target revenue streams funding the war, though critics argue they fall short of crippling Russia's energy exports.
Key Provisions of the Leaked Plan
- Territorial concessions: Ukraine would cede parts of Donetsk it still controls, formalizing Russian gains.
- Military limits: Kyiv's armed forces capped at 600,000 personnel, with European fighter jets relocated to Poland.
- NATO ban: Ukraine would forgo membership, with "reliable security guarantees" replacing alliance protections.
- Sanctions relief: Russia would rejoin the G7 (restoring the G8) and see economic restrictions lifted.
- Non-aggression pledges: Moscow would vow not to invade neighbors; NATO would halt further expansion.
European Skepticism and Public Defiance
European leaders reacted with caution. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the draft a "list of topics and options," not a finished proposal, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor
On the ground, reactions ranged from despair to defiance. In Kyiv, the widow of a fallen soldier told the BBC, "This is not a peace plan-it's a plan to continue the war." A resident of Russian-occupied territory, speaking anonymously, pleaded, "I hope they will not sign this," amid "constant propaganda" that Kyiv has abandoned them. Meanwhile, a soldier in Zaporizhzhia-where overnight strikes damaged multiple buildings-urged Europe to "step up" if US support falters.
Military Context and Stakes
Russia currently occupies roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, with slow but steady advances along the 1,000-km front line. Ukrainian forces, though outgunned, have inflicted heavy Russian casualties-estimates suggest Moscow has lost over 300,000 troops since the 2022 invasion. Yet Kyiv's counteroffensives have stalled, and Western military aid has dwindled amid political fatigue in the US and EU.
The plan's leaked details have sparked fears in Ukraine of a Munich-style betrayal, referencing the 1938 agreement that sacrificed Czechoslovakia to Nazi Germany. Analysts warn that without ironclad security guarantees, any deal risking Ukraine's sovereignty could embolden further Russian aggression-potentially targeting Moldova, the Baltics, or Poland next.
