Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signalled Kyiv’s readiness for “honest work” with the United States after receiving a draft peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia.
According to US media reports, the draft plan would require Ukraine to relinquish parts of Donbas still under its control, cap its military at 600,000 personnel, forgo NATO membership, and surrender key weapons systems. In exchange, Ukraine would receive unspecified “reliable security guarantees,” including deployment of European fighter jets in Poland. The proposal also includes provisions to reintegrate Russia into the global economy, potentially restoring the G7 to a G8 format—concessions that mirror long-standing demands from Moscow.
Zelensky’s office confirmed that Ukraine had agreed to review the document’s provisions “in a way that would bring about a just end to the war.” The Ukrainian leader is expected to discuss the plan with US President Donald Trump in the coming days, saying he “appreciated the efforts to return security to Europe,” while stressing that Ukrainians deserve a “worthy peace.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed suggestions that the plan imposes significant concessions on Kyiv, saying, “It’s a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine.” A senior US official added that Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, had accepted most of the proposals, with a few modifications.
However, the initiative has met resistance in Europe. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc was not involved in the discussions: “Not that I know of. For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board.”
The Kremlin also responded cautiously. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed “contacts” with Washington but denied that structured negotiations were underway, adding that any agreement must address the “root causes” of the conflict—a reference to Russia’s extensive territorial claims.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reiterated his government’s position, stating, “The future of Ukraine must be determined by Ukraine.”
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, hostilities continue. A Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia on Thursday killed at least five people, while earlier attacks in Ternopil left 26 dead and several missing. Moscow also claimed to have intercepted 33 Ukrainian drones overnight.
President Trump, now in his second term, has intensified his push for a negotiated settlement, holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and sending diplomatic teams to Kyiv and Moscow.
As the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches, the two sides remain profoundly divided on the terms of any future peace agreement.
