Kiev Prepares Response to Trump's Peace Proposal Amid Ongoing Tensions

Kiev's response to former President Donald Trump's proposal for a peace plan, aimed at ending nearly four years of conflict with Russia, is nearly finalized and is expected to be delivered to the U.S. on Tuesday afternoon. This was confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Downing Street. The response is an updated twenty-point document, but one of the most contentious issues, the potential cession of territory, remains unaddressed. Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine cannot afford to part with any of its territory. He noted that Washington is eager to expedite discussions, emphasizing that the Americans are keen on finding common ground. In this vein, Trump's appointed mediators, including his envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, recently presented a revised version of the peace plan in Moscow and subsequently engaged in a series of discussions with Ukrainian representatives in Miami, though those talks yielded no results. Zelensky characterized those conversations as constructive yet challenging. Trump expressed his disappointment on Sunday, stating that he felt Zelensky had not fully engaged with the proposal. European leaders are now making efforts to bolster Kiev's stance before the U.S. finalizes a definitive text. The meeting at Downing Street was an urgent attempt to align a common response. Starmer, Macron, and Merz concurred with Zelensky that any measures to conclude the war must lead to a just and enduring peace, while ensuring robust security guarantees for Ukraine. They also acknowledged notable progress in discussions regarding the utilization of frozen Russian assets to finance the reconstruction of Ukraine. Following his visit to London, Zelensky headed to Brussels, where he met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Von der Leyen stated that any agreement must uphold Ukraine's sovereignty and guarantee its long-term security, serving as a key line of defense for the European Union. Costa and Rutte supported this sentiment, assuring Zelensky of their steadfast support both in negotiations and on the battlefield. Zelensky conveyed to the European leaders that the peace process is still active. He insisted that any agreement must include a specific timeline for Ukraine's accession to the European Union. He also briefed them on his recent communications with the United States, highlighting that this diplomatic phase is occurring during a particularly difficult moment in the conflict, with ongoing Russian advances in the east and relentless assaults on the nation's energy infrastructure leading to power outages across several cities. While the White House claims negotiations are in their final stages, both Kiev and Moscow have indicated a lack of willingness to accept the current draft. Several European governments express concern that Ukraine may be pressured into accepting terms that could undermine its territorial integrity and overall security. Zelensky maintains that any territorial concession would legitimize Russian aggression and jeopardize Ukraine's future. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2