Russia has stated that it has yet to receive anything official from the US regarding its peace plan after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed readiness to collaborate with the Trump administration to realize a vision for ending the war.
The reportedly leaked US plan proposes several terms that Kyiv has previously dismissed, including ceding control of certain areas in the eastern Donetsk region, downsizing its military, and a pledge not to join NATO. These provisions have been perceived as significantly favoring Moscow, and Zelensky's office has responded cautiously.
This week, Russia’s military actions have continued, resulting in the deaths of six individuals in recent strikes, notably in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
The emergence of this draft coincides with claims from Russia about small territorial gains in the region, while Zelensky faces domestic challenges, including a $100 million corruption scandal involving high-ranking officials.
The US White House has contested claims that Ukraine was excluded from the drafting process, stating that discussions included US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev.
An unidentified US official mentioned that the plan came about immediately after conversations with Rustem Umerov, a senior official in Zelensky's administration, who allegedly made several modifications before presenting it to Zelensky. Umerov clarified that he did not provide official assessments or approvals, stating that Ukraine is still weighing its partners' propositions.
Zelensky has refrained from publicly criticizing or rejecting the plan, indicating appreciation for the efforts by President Trump and his team toward enhanced European security—seemingly to maintain diplomatic rapport with a potentially soft-on-Russia US administration. His office has suggested that the plan could potentially rejuvenate diplomatic initiatives.
Despite the Kremlin seeing potential merit in the proposals, spokesperson Dmitri Peskov emphasized that no official documentation had been received from the US, and substantive discussions on the proposal's points have not occurred. He reiterated Russia's openness to peace talks but underscored the importance of addressing the conflicts' root causes.
In parallel developments, Trump has shown growing frustration with negotiations that led to new sanctions against Russia’s major oil producers coming into effect.
Moscow currently administers about 20% of Ukraine's territory, with Russian military advancements reported despite heavy combat losses. The European allies of Ukraine continue advocating for a durable peace that ensures territorial integrity.
Responses from European leaders and officials indicate skepticism about US involvement, with assertions that a successful plan must actively include Ukrainian and European stakeholders.
As debates over the contentious peace plan unfold, public sentiment in Ukraine indicates significant resistance to what many perceive as capitulatory terms, raising alarms about the true intentions behind the proposed negotiations.
