Former President Donald Trump has unveiled a comprehensive 28-point proposal to end the war in Ukraine, a plan that would require significant concessions from Kyiv while compensating the United States for acting as peace guarantor.
The framework, developed through discussions between Washington and Moscow, presents what many analysts describe as a settlement heavily weighted in Russia's favour. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed he would engage with the Trump administration on their vision, with talks scheduled for the final week of November.
The Core Security Arrangements
Central to the proposal is a complete overhaul of Ukraine's security posture and international alignment. Ukraine would be constitutionally barred from NATO membership, with the alliance similarly amending its statutes to permanently exclude Ukrainian accession.
The plan mandates that Ukraine's armed forces be limited to 600,000 personnel, while NATO allies would be prohibited from stationing troops on Ukrainian territory. European fighter jets would instead be based in Poland as a regional deterrent.
In return for these concessions, Ukraine would receive US security guarantees, though with several conditions. The United States would receive compensation for providing this protection, which would be voided if Ukraine launched missiles at Moscow or St Petersburg without justification, or if Kyiv initiated conflict with Russia.
Territorial Concessions and Economic Reconstruction
The territorial settlement represents one of the most contentious aspects of the proposal. Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk would be recognised as de facto Russian territory, including by the United States.
Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be frozen along current contact lines, effectively recognising Russian control over these areas. Russia would relinquish other occupied territories outside these five regions, while Ukrainian forces would withdraw from parts of Donetsk Oblast they currently control, creating a neutral demilitarised buffer zone.
The economic component includes a massive reconstruction package for Ukraine, funded partly by $100 billion in frozen Russian assets that would be invested in US-led rebuilding efforts. The United States would receive 50% of profits from this venture, with Europe contributing an additional $100 billion.
Global Implications and Russian Reintegration
The plan outlines a pathway for Russia's return to the international community, including reintegration into the G8 grouping and phased lifting of sanctions. A long-term US-Russia economic cooperation agreement would cover energy, natural resources, and Arctic development projects.
Nuclear safety features prominently, with the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant restarting under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision, with electricity output divided equally between Russia and Ukraine.
The agreement would be legally binding and monitored by a Peace Council headed by President Trump himself. A ceasefire would take effect immediately after all parties agree to the memorandum, with both sides withdrawing to agreed positions to begin implementation.
President Zelensky faces difficult decisions as he prepares to discuss the proposal with Trump administration officials. The plan represents the most detailed framework yet presented for ending the conflict, though its terms will likely prove controversial among Ukraine's European allies, particularly the British-led initiative for international peacekeepers.
