Ukraine has signaled its willingness to collaborate with the United States on a proposed plan to end the ongoing war with Russia, following Washington’s presentation of a “draft plan” to President Volodymyr Zelensky. While the full details remain under wraps, sources indicate the proposal contains elements that echo some of Moscow’s demands for resolving the conflict.
Zelensky’s office said he plans to review the proposal in the coming days, stressing that discussions will focus on ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Early reports suggest the plan covers key issues such as territory and military capabilities. On territory, the draft reportedly asks Ukraine to recognize Russian control over Crimea and other regions seized by Moscow, including parts of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. The Kremlin has previously demanded a full withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donetsk and Lugansk in exchange for freezing the front line in the southern regions. Ukraine has made it clear that it will not formally accept Russian claims, though diplomatic avenues may be explored to reclaim occupied land.
The plan also addresses military reductions, calling for Ukraine to shrink its army to 400,000 personnel and surrender long-range weapons. Reports suggest it would also prohibit Western troops from being deployed in Ukraine, a condition that clashes with Kyiv’s longstanding security red lines. Ukraine, meanwhile, is seeking concrete security guarantees from Western allies, potentially through NATO-style protections or a European-led peacekeeping presence, to prevent future aggression.
Questions remain about the origins of the plan. Sources indicate that Moscow may have influenced its drafting, and US media reports suggest the Trump administration consulted with Russia in secret. While US officials maintain that the plan aims to stimulate diplomacy, some critics worry it may favor Russian demands. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that “durable peace will require both sides to agree to difficult but necessary concessions” and pledged that Washington will continue gathering ideas from both parties.
Since returning to the White House, US President Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine has fluctuated, from criticizing Zelensky to supporting Kyiv’s efforts to reclaim occupied territory and imposing sanctions on Moscow.
Kyiv confirmed receipt of the plan on Thursday, noting that Washington suggested it could “invigorate diplomacy.” Zelensky met senior US military officials in Kyiv to discuss next steps. Meanwhile, the Kremlin declined to comment, and the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas stressed that any peace settlement must reflect the agreement of both Kyiv and Brussels, reminding that “there is one aggressor and one victim in this war, and no concessions have been made by Russia.”
