Donald Trump's proposed plan to end the war in Ukraine would involve significant concessions to Moscow, according to drafts seen by multiple news agencies. The plan reportedly includes Ukraine ceding the Donbas region and Crimea to Russia, a ban on Ukraine joining Nato, and Russia's readmittance to the G8.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he expected to discuss the plan with Trump in the coming days, but stressed that any deal must bring a 'dignified peace' with respect for Ukraine's independence and sovereignty. However, some Ukrainian officials have condemned the proposal as 'absurd' and 'capitulation', warning it would effectively end Ukraine's existence as an independent state.
The plan, reportedly drafted by Russian and US officials, also calls for Ukraine to reduce its army to 600,000 personnel and for Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to be supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Nato would agree not to station troops in Ukraine, dashing hopes for a European peacekeeping force, and European jets would be stationed in neighbouring Poland instead.
Under the proposed deal, Russia would be 'reintegrated into the global economy' and sanctions would be lifted, though they would snap back if Russia invaded Ukraine again. The plan also stipulates that $100bn in frozen Russian assets would be used for rebuilding Ukraine, with some funds directed to a US-Russian investment fund. Ukraine would be required to hold elections within 100 days.
The White House press secretary defended the plan, calling it 'good for both Russia and Ukraine', but European allies are likely to oppose it given the broader security implications for Nato's eastern flank. The plan appears to violate multiple Ukrainian red lines and would require a significant reversal from Zelenskyy, who has previously ruled out territorial concessions.
