President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed his readiness to collaborate with the United States on a proposed plan aimed at concluding the ongoing war in Ukraine. In a statement, he indicated that discussions with US President Donald Trump are expected to take place in the coming days.
The US-backed plan faces resistance from several European nations, which are concerned that it may require Ukraine to cede additional territory and partially disarm. Such demands have been perceived by Ukraine’s allies as a form of capitulation. Despite this, Zelenskiy, following a meeting with US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll in Kyiv, stated that Ukraine and the US would jointly address the elements of the draft plan.
In a post on Telegram, Zelenskiy emphasized, “Our teams – Ukraine and the USA – will work on the points of the plan to end the war. We are ready for constructive, honest, and prompt work.” While his office did not comment on the specifics of the 28-point plan, it noted that Zelenskiy had articulated fundamental principles significant to the Ukrainian people.
The upcoming discussions with Trump will focus on “existing diplomatic opportunities and the key points required to achieve peace,” according to Zelenskiy’s office. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US special envoy Steve Witkoff have been quietly developing the plan over the past month, with Trump expressing support for it. Leavitt described the proposal as beneficial for both Russia and Ukraine, suggesting it could be acceptable to both parties involved.
Zelenskiy received the draft plan just days ago, on Thursday, and sources indicate it resulted from backchannel discussions between Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, the special envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rubio later stated on social media that the US “will continue to develop a list of potential ideas for ending this war based on input from both sides of this conflict,” emphasizing that peace would necessitate concessions from both Kyiv and Moscow.
The intensification of US diplomatic efforts coincides with a challenging period for Ukraine. Its military faces setbacks on the battlefield while the government grapples with a corruption scandal. In light of these developments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the significance of any new US initiative, stating, “Consultations are not currently under way.” He reiterated that any peace agreement must consider the “root causes of the conflict,” a phrase frequently used by Moscow to refer to its demands.
As winter approaches, the nearly four-year conflict continues to escalate. Russian forces currently occupy nearly one-fifth of Ukraine and have been advancing steadily, targeting energy supplies and urban areas as temperatures drop. Ukraine’s military has denied Russian claims of control over key locations, such as Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine and a significant portion of the railway hub in Pokrovsk.
During a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels, officials did not elaborate on the US plan but indicated a reluctance to accept harsh terms that would force Ukraine to make significant concessions. As the situation evolves, the prospects for peace remain uncertain, with both Ukrainian and Russian positions firmly entrenched.
