US Proposes Controversial Peace Plan to Ukraine Echoing Key Russian Demands

TDT | Manama

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The United States has presented Ukraine with a detailed peace proposal outlining major concessions Kyiv could make to potentially end the ongoing war with Russia. The plan, according to sources familiar with the matter, appears to mirror several of Moscow’s longstanding demands.

Territorial Concessions

Sources told AFP that the plan calls for Ukraine to recognize Crimea and other territories currently under Russian control—areas Kyiv has previously refused to concede, citing national sovereignty concerns. Russia’s army currently occupies roughly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, much of it devastated by years of conflict.

In 2022, Russia unilaterally annexed four Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—despite not controlling them entirely. Crimea had already been annexed in 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded a full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donetsk and Lugansk while proposing a freeze on frontlines in southern regions, according to Turkey’s foreign minister, who mediated peace talks earlier this year.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that Ukraine will never formally recognize Russian control over its territory, though he has acknowledged that diplomatic solutions may be necessary to regain these regions. Analysts warn that ceding land currently held by Ukraine could leave the country vulnerable to future attacks. “It is a matter of our country’s survival,” Zelensky said recently.

Military Reductions and Weapons

The US plan reportedly calls for Ukraine to reduce its armed forces to 400,000 personnel—cutting the military by more than half—and to surrender all long-range weapons. These measures align with previous Russian proposals, including troop reductions, a ban on mobilization, and restrictions on Western military support. Russia has repeatedly stated it will not accept NATO troops on Ukrainian soil.

In contrast, Ukraine seeks strong Western-backed security guarantees, including a European peacekeeping presence, to prevent potential future Russian aggression.

Origins of the Plan

US media reports suggest the proposal was drafted during the Trump administration in consultation with Russia. A senior source told AFP that while many elements reflect Moscow’s demands, it remains unclear whether the plan represents former President Trump personally or his broader team. Trump’s stance on the Ukraine conflict has shifted repeatedly in 2025, alternating between criticism of President Zelensky and calls for Ukraine to reclaim lost territories through sanctions against Russia.

The source also noted uncertainty over what, if any, commitments Russia would make in exchange for Ukraine’s concessions.

International Reactions

Kyiv has not issued an official response to the plan. The Kremlin declined to comment, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that any peace settlement must have the agreement of both Ukraine and the EU.

“For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board,” Kallas said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. “We have to understand that in this war, there is one aggressor and one victim. So far, we haven’t heard of any concessions from the Russian side.”