Draft Deal Would See Ukraine Give Up Territory

TDT | Manama

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Ukraine awoke on Friday to a controversial US proposal that would require Kyiv to make sweeping concessions to Russia after nearly four years of war. The 28-point draft plan — backed by US President Donald Trump — calls for Ukraine to relinquish territory, significantly reduce its military, and hold national elections within 100 days.

A copy of the proposal, reviewed by AFP, aligns closely with key demands previously set out by the Kremlin. Russia’s 2022 invasion triggered Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, with frontlines stretching across multiple regions of Ukraine.

Under the proposed framework, Moscow would retain all areas it currently occupies and gain additional territory now under Ukrainian control. In return, Western nations would lift sanctions on Russia, and Moscow would be invited to rejoin the G8.

Crucially, Kyiv would be required to commit to never joining NATO — a long-standing goal abandoned under the draft’s terms.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he intends to discuss the plan with Trump “in the coming days” but has not indicated whether Ukraine is prepared to accept any of the conditions. Zelensky reiterated that his country seeks a “dignified peace.”

“With a neighbour like Russia, defending one’s own dignity, freedom, and independence is an extremely difficult task,” he said on Friday.

Inside Kyiv, the reaction was one of shock and uncertainty. A senior lawmaker from Zelensky’s party reflected the mood bluntly, telling AFP: “Being mind blown has become our norm.”

European and Russian Responses

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU had not officially received the proposal but expected the matter to be discussed on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has not commented publicly. However, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — an ally of both Moscow and Washington — described the moment as “decisive,” saying the coming weeks would be “crucial.”

Earlier leaks suggested Washington and Moscow had secretly coordinated on a peace plan, an allegation the White House denied. According to US officials, envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been “quietly” engaging both sides.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump supports the proposal: “It’s a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine.” She added that the document remains a draft.

Major Territorial Shifts and Security Guarantees

If adopted, the draft would require the United States to recognise Donetsk, Lugansk, and Crimea as “de facto Russian” territories. Ukrainian troops would withdraw from remaining areas of Donetsk still under their control.

The front line in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be frozen as it currently stands, while Russia would return small pockets of territory in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk.

Ukraine would receive unspecified “reliable security guarantees” but would also be required to downsize its armed forces. Additionally, the plan calls for Ukraine to constitutionally commit to remaining outside NATO, although it allows for European fighter jets to be stationed in neighbouring Poland.

The reconstruction component of the plan allocates $100 billion from Russia’s frozen assets — seized after the 2022 invasion — with Europe expected to contribute a further $100 billion to US-led rebuilding efforts.