US-Russian Officials Draft Controversial Peace Plan for Ukraine Amid Renewed Attacks

In a significant development concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, US and Russian officials have reportedly drafted a new plan aimed at ending the war that would impose severe conditions on Ukraine, including territorial concessions and limitations on its military capabilities. This information surfaced on Wednesday, coinciding with a tragic attack in Ternopil that resulted in at least 25 fatalities due to Russian drone and missile strikes. The draft plan, allegedly crafted by Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin adviser Kirill Dmitriev, outlines strict measures that could effectively compromise Ukraine's military and political sovereignty. Such conditions are highly likely to be construed as capitulation by the Ukrainian government led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Although the details of the plan remain murky, it reportedly calls for Ukraine to relinquish control of certain eastern territories and reduce its military size by half, a proposition Zelenskyy has previously labeled as unacceptable. Further stipulations within the proposal include restrictions on US military aid and the types of arms that Ukraine can possess. The existence of this 28-point plan, which appears to be reminiscent of a similar initiative the Trump administration pursued to resolve the conflict in Gaza, was initially uncovered by Axios. While the Trump administration has portrayed itself as nearing a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, previous proposals have consistently skewed in favor of Russian demands, necessitating significant sacrifices from Kyiv. These leaked discussions come as Russia escalated its military operations in western Ukraine, targeting residential buildings in the city of Ternopil and energy facilities in regions such as Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv. Witness reports detail a harrowing scene, with civilians caught off guard in their homes as flames engulfed buildings following intense strikes early in the morning. Oleg Hrytsyshyn, a local resident, described the chaos and peril he faced during the attack, which left him and others desperately seeking escape amid rising smoke and debris. As per official announcements, at least 25 people, including three children, lost their lives in Ternopil, and another 73 sustained injuries. Eyewitness Yaroslav Teslyuk recounted the moment of the attack, emphasizing the tragic nature of the assault as many slept, unaware of the impending danger. In light of these developments, President Zelenskyy, during a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan, reiterated the necessity for international allies to ramp up pressure on Russia, including enhanced military support for Ukraine. He underscored that ongoing attacks on civilian life illustrate the inadequacy of existing sanctions against Russia, urging the need for effective measures to compel Moscow towards a peaceful resolution. Amidst ongoing military confrontations, signs of potential dialogue have emerged, despite a lengthy stagnation in peace negotiations caused by Russia's comprehensive demands. Following his visit to Turkey, Zelenskyy is set to meet with a senior US military delegation in Kyiv, further indicating an attempt to revitalize discussions. In recent months, communications between Kyiv and Moscow have largely ground to a halt following the last Trump-Putin meeting, with Russian representatives declaring an openness to negotiations that has yet to materialize in any substantive way. Meanwhile, Ukraine grapples with both external military pressures and an internal political crisis driven by corruption in the energy sector, complicating Zelenskyy’s position. The talks led by Witkoff and Dmitriev have fueled anxiety within Ukraine and Europe, raising apprehensions about potentially favorable conditions for Russia. The Kremlin's assertion that no noteworthy advancements have surfaced and the denial of any recognized US proposals from its foreign ministry accentuate the ongoing complexities of establishing a pathway to peace. As the situation develops, the global community watches closely to observe the implications of such discussions on the already precarious state of affairs in Ukraine, highlighting the fragile balance between war and diplomacy in the region. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2