Ukraine Rejects US-Russian Peace Proposal Amid Ongoing Conflict

A new peace proposal put forth by US and Russian officials aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine has faced outright rejection from Kyiv's leaders. Officials have labeled the proposal as absurd and unacceptable, highlighting its provocative nature, purportedly drafted by Kirill Dmitriev—an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin—and Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for Donald Trump. Ukrainian officials assert that this plan is designed to incite division and confusion among Ukraine's allies. Oleksandr Merezhko, the chairman of Ukraine's foreign policy parliamentary committee, has emphasized that there are currently no indications that the Kremlin is willing to engage in serious negotiations. Rather, he notes that Putin seems to be stalling for time, likely to avoid impending sanctions from the US. Merezhko dismissed Dmitriev as inconsequential, illustrating Ukraine's dismissal of the proposed framework. Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya labeled the initiative as unrealistic, equating it to a classic Soviet-style information operation intended to sway public opinion and induce panic. The proposal reportedly consists of 28 sweeping points that closely mirror conditions previously set forth by Moscow following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. What is most alarming for Kyiv is that this proposal was developed without any consultation from Ukrainian officials, with many learning about it through news broadcasts. Among the astonishing demands is the relinquishment of the northern Donbas region currently held by Ukraine and a significant reduction in its military capabilities, including cutting its armed forces in half. Furthermore, Ukraine would be compelled to surrender its long-range weaponry which is critical to striking Russian military sites. The conditions also stipulate that no foreign troops would be allowed on Ukrainian territory post-agreement, which negates the possibility of a peacekeeping force involving nations like the UK or France. Nevertheless, the proposal mentions that the US would offer unspecified security guarantees. In what seems to be a move to cement Russian influence further, demands regarding the formal recognition of the Russian language and the Russian Orthodox Church are highlighted in the proposal, which Ukrainian officials have described as tantamount to a capitulation that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty. This proposal emerges nearly four years after the Russian military's failed attempts to capture Kyiv, presenting a situation where efforts led by the Trump administration to negotiate peace remain inlimbo. Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, a new special representative appointed by Trump, to discuss the war and Ukraine's drone capabilities; the details of whether they addressed the contentious peace proposal remain ambiguous. Adding to the complexities, recent reports suggest that Keith Kellogg, Trump's special representative to Ukraine, plans to resign after a year in the role. His support for Ukraine seems to have limited his involvement in direct US-Russian negotiations, raising concerns on both sides regarding the handling of the peace discussion. At the same time, Zelenskyy is navigating severe political turbulence at home, embroiled in a significant bribery scandal involving former associates and government officials. The implications of this scandal may be intensified, as some party members have called for him to dismiss Andriy Yermak, his influential chief of staff. Observers note that these internal challenges could be strategically exploited by Russian officials. Among European leaders, there was a palpable sense of surprise and concern over the US's initiative, with diplomats stating they were not informed in advance of the new proposal. Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed the need for Europe, the main supporter of Ukraine, to be involved in any discussions surrounding peace efforts. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reiterated that any sustainable resolution must include input from both Ukrainians and Europeans, emphasizing that the responsibility lies with Russia to make concessions for peace. The British government, while endorsing Trump's intent to end the conflict, underscored that the autonomy of the Ukrainian people must be respected and that Russia could cease hostilities at any moment by withdrawing its troops from Ukrainian territories. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller commented regarding the administration's continued focus on securing peace in the Ukraine-Russia war; however, such ambitions have encountered multiple obstacles since Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska in August, which culminated in sanctions against Russia's oil industry aimed at pressuring Moscow towards dialogues. Despite these diplomatic hurdles, Zelenskyy is continuing dialogues for resolution, having recently met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to reaffirm commitments to seek peace. Meanwhile, Russia has escalated its assaults on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, creating dire humanitarian conditions for civilians. In a recent attack, multiple western cities, including Ternopil, were bombed, resulting in the tragic deaths of 26 individuals, including three children, highlighting the ongoing volatility and hardship present within the conflict. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2