US Proposal Calls for Ukrainian Withdrawal from Donetsk and Luhansk in Potential Peace Plan
Details have emerged regarding a draft peace plan proposed by the United States to potentially end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. According to information from international news agencies, the plan outlines significant territorial concessions by Ukraine, including the withdrawal from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which would be recognized as part of Russia by both the United States and the international community. The proposal further suggests that the currently Russian-controlled Crimean Peninsula would also be acknowledged as Russian territory.
Under the terms of the draft, Ukraine is expected to retreat not only from areas of Donetsk and Luhansk under Russian occupation but also from Ukrainian-held positions within these regions. These vacated zones would be designated as demilitarized buffer areas, with the intention of reducing further military engagement along these contested frontlines.
The southern Ukrainian regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which are subject to partial Russian control, would be divided according to the existing frontlines. The plan does not advocate for a full Russian takeover of these territories, instead proposing a division that reflects the current situation on the ground.
Additionally, the draft stipulates a maximum size for Ukraine's armed forces, limiting the number of active soldiers to 600,000. Ukraine would also be expected to forgo any aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In return, NATO would commit to not deploying alliance troops within Ukrainian territory. However, to provide continued security support, Eurofighter jets would be stationed in neighboring Poland to safeguard Ukrainian airspace.
A notable financial component of the proposal involves allocating $100 billion in frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's reconstruction efforts. Furthermore, the draft outlines steps toward reintegrating Russia into the global economy, including the eventual lifting of international sanctions and restoring Russia's membership in the Group of Eight (G8), an organization comprising major world economies.
The development of the peace plan has reportedly involved US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, who have engaged with both Russian and Ukrainian counterparts to gather input and outline conditions acceptable to both parties. Russian presidential adviser Kirill Dmitriyev is said to have played a significant role in shaping the proposal.
European Union diplomats have responded with concern, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that Ukraine and European countries are active participants in any discussions or negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. There is a broad consensus within the EU that any peace process should not proceed without full involvement of the affected parties.
German officials have characterized the document not as a finalized peace plan, but rather as a framework intended to initiate dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. The initiative is viewed as a means to encourage both sides to engage in negotiations and seek a diplomatic resolution to the hostilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated Ukraine's position against territorial concessions but has indicated a willingness to review and discuss the proposed US plan. Discussions surrounding the draft continue, with no official agreement reached as of yet. Updates on the situation and ongoing negotiations are expected as further details become available.