Controversial Draft Peace Plan Reveals Major Concessions from Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict

A draft peace proposal obtained by Agence France-Presse (AFP) indicates that Ukraine may agree to significant territorial concessions to Russia under a sweeping 28-point plan, supported by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The plan suggests that Ukraine would relinquish a substantial portion of its eastern territories, while also significantly reducing the size of its military forces. Notably, Kyiv would pledge never to join NATO and would forego the Western peacekeepers it has sought amidst ongoing hostilities, although European warplanes would be stationed in Poland to provide some level of security for Ukraine. A U.S. official outlined that the draft includes a robust security guarantee for Ukraine reminiscent of NATO agreements, committing the U.S. and its European allies to respond to any assault on Ukrainian sovereignty. In return for Ukraine's concessions, Russia would be invited back into the G8 and receive relief from sanctions, as per the evolving framework of the proposal. Historically, Ukrainian leaders have resisted ceding any territory and have been adamant about maintaining their sovereignty, raising questions about the viability of such concessions in the eyes of the Ukrainian populace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed that he will discuss the peace initiative with Trump in the coming days, emphasizing the necessity of achieving a dignified peace that respects Ukraine's sovereignty. The White House has denied assertions that it has collaborated with Moscow to formulate the plan, noting that envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been coordinating with both sides for the past month. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "The president supports this plan. It's a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine." Furthermore, the plan proposes that Trump would head a peace council to oversee the ceasefire, drawing parallels to initiatives previously proposed for a truce between Israel and Hamas. Significant elements of the proposal parallel Russia's longstanding demands which intersect with Ukraine's red lines. Ukraine is expected to withdraw from the Lugansk and Donetsk regions—the industrial heartland collectively known as the Donbas—currently partially controlled by Kyiv. This agreement would entail Moscow's recognition of the Donetsk, Lugansk, and Crimea as de facto Russian territories, with acknowledgment from the United States. Additionally, a demilitarized zone would be established in the Donbas, while the war-torn southern oblasts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which Russia claims to have annexed, would be frozen along the existing front lines. Amid this backdrop of expected disarmament, Ukraine's armed forces would be cut by nearly half, down to 600,000 personnel. In turn, the proposal assures Ukraine of reliable security guarantees, albeit lacking specific details. Beyond military aspects, the draft also requests Ukraine to conduct elections within 100 days, echoing Russian demands and remarks from Trump, who previously labeled Zelensky's government as 'dictatorial' due to its lack of electoral processes. While Ukraine had originally sought European-led peacekeeping forces to stabilize the region, the rejection of such forces by Russia appears to be a pivotal aspect of the proposed agreement. NATO would also refrain from deploying troops within Ukraine, solidifying the limits placed upon Ukraine's military autonomy by both its constitution and NATO regulations. The evolving situation in Ukraine, compounded by an ongoing corruption scandal that has seen the ousting of two ministers, raises the stakes as Kyiv adjusts its stance on international oversight of foreign aid, pivoting towards a call for a comprehensive amnesty instead. As discussions advance, the international community watches closely for potential ramifications of this controversial peace plan. The implications of significant territorial concessions and military downsizing will be a considerable concern for the Ukrainian citizenry, who have witnessed a protracted conflict that has fundamentally altered the region's geopolitical landscape. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3 • Source 4