Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his willingness for “genuine cooperation” with the US after receiving a preliminary peace proposal aimed at concluding the conflict with Russia.
Multiple US media reports indicate that according to the proposal, Kyiv would relinquish control of certain areas in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, reduce its military forces, and commit to never joining Nato.
It remains uncertain the extent of Ukraine’s involvement in shaping the proposal, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that the US has engaged “equally with both parties”.
In another statement, Zelensky’s office mentioned that Ukraine has “consented to develop the plan’s terms in a manner that would lead to a fair resolution of the conflict”.
If validated, the stipulations within the proposal may seem to align with Moscow’s preferences.
Zelensky stated he anticipates a conversation with US President Donald Trump in the upcoming days regarding the suggestions, which reportedly also suggest that Ukraine would forfeit a significant portion of its arsenal.
However, during a media briefing at the White House, Leavitt dismissed claims that the proposal required substantial sacrifices from Ukraine, asserting that the US president “endorses” it.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been quietly devising a plan for about a month, working with both sides “to comprehend what commitments these nations would make for achieving a sustainable and lasting peace,” remarked Leavitt.
“It’s a beneficial plan for both Russia and Ukraine,” she continued, without divulging additional specifics. “We believe it should be agreeable for both sides. And we are diligently working to see it through.”
An unidentified senior US official informed CBS News that the proposal “was formulated shortly after discussions with one of the highest officials in President Zelensky’s administration, Rustem Umerov, who approved most of the plan following several adjustments, and presented it to President Zelensky”.
In a post on X, Zelensky stated, “The American side laid out elements of a plan to conclude the war—their perspective. I highlighted our essential principles. We concurred that our teams will collaborate on the specifics to ensure it is all authentic.”
This statement followed a meeting in Kyiv on Thursday between Zelensky and top US military personnel, which included US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, army chief of staff Gen Randy George, and top US army commander in Europe Gen Chris Donahue.
Despite Kyiv’s lukewarm response to the proposal, Zelensky expressed that he “valued the efforts of President Trump and his team to restore security in Europe” – potentially a means to keep the US president aligned, despite his administration’s seemingly lenient stance towards Russia.
In his nightly address on Thursday, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine deserves a “deserved peace,” and that the “dignity of the Ukrainian populace” must be honored.
When questioned about Europe’s role in drafting the proposal, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas stated: “Not that I am aware of.”
“For any proposal to succeed, it requires the support of Ukrainians and Europeans,” she added.
Moscow has downplayed the relevance of the proposal, which is believed to encompass 28 points.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that while there had been “interactions” with the US, there was “no process that could be described as ‘consultations’.”
Peskov cautioned that any peace agreement must tackle the “fundamental causes of the conflict” – a term Moscow has employed to refer to a series of maximalist demands which, to Ukraine, equate to capitulation.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer remarked: “The destiny of Ukraine must be determined by Ukrainians and we must never lose sight of that principle fundamental to the just and enduring peace that we all desire.”
Since commencing his second term earlier this year, Trump has embarked on various initiatives aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine, including a bilateral summit with Putin in Alaska, multiple visits by his envoy Witkoff to Moscow, and rounds of discussions with Zelensky and other Western leaders.
However, as the fourth anniversary of Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine approaches, the two parties remain significantly divided on how to conclude the conflict.
While Ukraine has become skilled at striking Russian military infrastructures and energy facilities with long-range drones, attacks from Moscow on Ukrainian targets continue unabated.
Late on Thursday, a Russian assault on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia resulted in at least five fatalities, according to local authorities.
Earlier this week, at least 26 individuals lost their lives in a Russian missile and drone strike on residential blocks in Ukraine’s western city of Ternopil. Another 17 individuals remained unaccounted for at the site on Thursday, as Zelensky extended his condolences.
