In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered devastating attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas mere hours after Kyiv responded positively to European leaders rewriting a controversial US peace proposal.
Immediate Retaliation Following Diplomatic Shift
The Kremlin's forces launched a severe overnight assault targeting the Zaporizhzhia region, where missiles struck dozens of apartment blocks and private homes. The attacks triggered multiple fires and left at least 19 civilians injured in what appears to be retaliatory action.
This brutal offensive came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that European leaders had substantially modified the pro-Kremlin 28-point peace plan originally associated with President Donald Trump. The original proposal, widely believed to have been suggested by the Kremlin, would have permanently banned NATO membership for Ukraine and forced the cession of occupied territories to Russia.
Controversial Peace Plan Details Revealed
The initial Trump administration proposal contained provisions that heavily favoured Russian interests. It would have limited Ukraine's military force to just 600,000 troops and handed over even more territory than Russia currently occupies. Most significantly, it included a permanent ban on Ukraine joining the NATO alliance.
Following European modifications, the revised framework is understood to remove restrictions on Ukraine's military size, promote a ceasefire before any final peace settlement, and reject territorial concessions to Russia. President Zelensky described the modified approach as making peace efforts "doable," stating: "Now the list of necessary steps to end the war can become doable. Many correct elements have been incorporated into this framework."
Revelations About US-Russia Communications
Further controversy emerged with revelations about communications between Donald Trump's chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, and Vladimir Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov. According to transcripts of their conversation, Witkoff advised Ushakov on how President Putin should approach Trump, suggesting he congratulate the US leader on the Gaza peace deal and describe him as "a man of peace."
Witkoff reportedly told his Russian counterpart: "Here's what I think would be amazing. Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit, we're open to those sorts of things."
The transcript also reveals that Witkoff suggested arranging a Trump-Putin call before Ukrainian President Zelensky's scheduled White House visit. Ushakov agreed that Putin "will congratulate" Trump and would describe him as "a real peace man."
Ushakov later confirmed the authenticity of the recordings while denying they had been leaked by Moscow. He acknowledged speaking with Witkoff "quite often" but refused to discuss the content further.
The situation has drawn sharp criticism from US Rep. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican who has been critical of Trump's approach to Ukraine. Bacon stated that the transcript shows Witkoff favours Russian interests and declared: "He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired."
Meanwhile, White House communications director Steven Cheung defended Witkoff's actions, stating: "This story proves one thing: Special Envoy Witkoff talks to officials in both Russia and Ukraine nearly every day to achieve peace, which is exactly what President Trump appointed him to do."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted the original proposal was authored by the United States with input from both Russian and Ukrainian officials, despite its clearly pro-Kremlin provisions.
