Ukraine is facing one of the most complex decisions of the war as a leaked US-Russia draft plan outlines conditions that would reshape the country’s military, borders and long-term security. President Volodymyr Zelensky has signaled a willingness to engage with Washington’s vision for ending the conflict, even as many of the plan’s provisions challenge long-held Ukrainian red lines.
The draft, developed through quiet talks between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, proposes that Ukraine cede remaining territory in parts of Donetsk, reduce its military to 600,000 personnel, and commit to staying outside NATO. It also envisions European fighter jets stationed in Poland, new but undefined security guarantees for Kyiv, and a reintegration of Russia into the global economy. European allies were not included in the negotiations, raising concerns about a process unfolding largely between Washington and Moscow.
Ukraine’s reliance on US military support has heightened the stakes. President Donald Trump has pushed allies to take on more of the financial burden and has made securing a peace deal a priority. The timing has added pressure, coinciding with Russian advances in eastern Ukraine and a domestic scandal in Kyiv involving allegations of corruption at senior levels.
Zelensky has stopped short of rejecting the US-backed outline, instead offering a measured response that underscores Ukraine’s desire for a stable peace that will not invite future invasions. Ukrainian officials say the plan could revive diplomacy, but they also stress the need for a settlement that respects national dignity and avoids concessions that could weaken the country’s sovereignty.
European leaders, who have long supported a peace built on territorial integrity and lasting security, have expressed unease. Some describe the draft as a collection of ideas rather than a fully developed framework. They note that any plan must include Ukrainian and European participation to succeed, especially as Europe now provides significant portions of Kyiv’s military and economic aid.
Russia has downplayed the draft while insisting that any agreement must address what it calls the root causes of the conflict, a phrase Ukraine views as shorthand for unacceptable demands. Meanwhile, the war continues to claim civilian lives, with recent Russian strikes in Zaporizhzhia and Ternopil underscoring the ongoing human toll.
Source: BBC