Kyiv At Risk? Trump’s Russia–Ukraine Peace Plan Sparks Debate
The United States has signalled to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Kyiv should consider a Washington-drafted peace framework, which reportedly includes giving up some territory and reducing parts of its military capacity, according to sources cited by Reuters. The proposal is seen as one of the most direct attempts by the US to influence the terms for ending the war with Russia.
Sources familiar with the plan said it envisions Ukraine ceding certain lands to Russia while downsizing its armed forces and making other concessions. Washington reportedly wants Kyiv to accept these key elements, though the White House has not officially commented.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised on X that Washington "will continue to develop a list of potential ideas for ending this war based on input from both sides of this conflict." He added, "Ending a complex and deadly war such as the one in Ukraine requires an extensive exchange of serious and realistic ideas. And achieving a durable peace will require both sides to agree to difficult but necessary concessions."
A senior Ukrainian official told Reuters that Kyiv had received "signals" about the US plan, which had been discussed with Russia without Ukraine’s input. The news comes as Zelenskyy visits Turkey to meet President Tayyip Erdogan and prepares to host US Army officials in Kyiv.
In a Telegram post after his Ankara meeting, Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of strong American leadership. "The main thing for stopping the bloodshed and achieving lasting peace is that we work in coordination with all our partners and that American leadership remains effective, strong," he wrote. Zelenskyy added that only the US and President Donald Trump "have sufficient strength for the war to finally come to an end." Erdogan also proposed new formats for talks, offering Turkey as a negotiating platform.
The renewed diplomatic activity caused Ukrainian government bond prices to jump, reflecting optimism over a new push from the Trump administration to end the conflict. However, no direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow have occurred since Istanbul in July, and Russian forces continue strikes, including overnight attacks that killed 25 people.
Moscow, meanwhile, has shown no sign of softening its demands. President Vladimir Putin insists Ukraine abandon its NATO bid and withdraw troops from four regions claimed by Russia. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly rejected these conditions. Currently, Russian forces control around 19% of Ukrainian territory and continue targeting energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
Turkey, which hosted early peace talks in 2022 and maintains relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, is again offering itself as a mediator. The Kremlin stated that its representatives would not join the Ankara talks directly but that Putin remains open to receiving results through the US and Turkey.
Axios reported that the US proposal may involve Ukraine ceding parts of eastern Ukraine not currently under Russian control, in return for US security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe. Some European diplomats expressed scepticism, suggesting that the plan may be intended to pressure Kyiv or resemble Russian demands more than a genuine US proposal.
A US delegation led by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is currently in Kyiv on a fact-finding mission. General Randy George, the US Army Chief of Staff, is part of the team and is expected to meet Zelenskyy on Thursday, according to Reuters sources.
Sources familiar with the plan said it envisions Ukraine ceding certain lands to Russia while downsizing its armed forces and making other concessions. Washington reportedly wants Kyiv to accept these key elements, though the White House has not officially commented.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised on X that Washington "will continue to develop a list of potential ideas for ending this war based on input from both sides of this conflict." He added, "Ending a complex and deadly war such as the one in Ukraine requires an extensive exchange of serious and realistic ideas. And achieving a durable peace will require both sides to agree to difficult but necessary concessions."
A senior Ukrainian official told Reuters that Kyiv had received "signals" about the US plan, which had been discussed with Russia without Ukraine’s input. The news comes as Zelenskyy visits Turkey to meet President Tayyip Erdogan and prepares to host US Army officials in Kyiv.
In a Telegram post after his Ankara meeting, Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of strong American leadership. "The main thing for stopping the bloodshed and achieving lasting peace is that we work in coordination with all our partners and that American leadership remains effective, strong," he wrote. Zelenskyy added that only the US and President Donald Trump "have sufficient strength for the war to finally come to an end." Erdogan also proposed new formats for talks, offering Turkey as a negotiating platform.
The renewed diplomatic activity caused Ukrainian government bond prices to jump, reflecting optimism over a new push from the Trump administration to end the conflict. However, no direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow have occurred since Istanbul in July, and Russian forces continue strikes, including overnight attacks that killed 25 people.
Moscow, meanwhile, has shown no sign of softening its demands. President Vladimir Putin insists Ukraine abandon its NATO bid and withdraw troops from four regions claimed by Russia. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly rejected these conditions. Currently, Russian forces control around 19% of Ukrainian territory and continue targeting energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
Turkey, which hosted early peace talks in 2022 and maintains relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, is again offering itself as a mediator. The Kremlin stated that its representatives would not join the Ankara talks directly but that Putin remains open to receiving results through the US and Turkey.
Axios reported that the US proposal may involve Ukraine ceding parts of eastern Ukraine not currently under Russian control, in return for US security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe. Some European diplomats expressed scepticism, suggesting that the plan may be intended to pressure Kyiv or resemble Russian demands more than a genuine US proposal.
A US delegation led by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is currently in Kyiv on a fact-finding mission. General Randy George, the US Army Chief of Staff, is part of the team and is expected to meet Zelenskyy on Thursday, according to Reuters sources.
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