Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he will negotiate with Donald Trump over a US-backed peace plan that Ukrainian officials have labelled 'absurd'. The plan, prepared by US and Russian officials, calls for painful concessions from Kyiv, including territorial losses and limits on its military.
According to reports, the 28-point proposal closely resembles Moscow's demands from early 2022. It would require Ukraine to cede Crimea and the Donbas, freeze frontlines, limit its army to 600,000, and renounce NATO membership. No foreign troops would be allowed on Ukrainian soil, ruling out a post-deal peacekeeping force.
The plan was drawn up by Kirill Dmitriev, an ally of Vladimir Putin, and US envoy Steve Witkoff, without consulting Kyiv. European diplomats said they only learned of it from news reports. Ukrainian officials described it as 'capitulation' and a 'provocation' designed to disorientate allies.
Despite the criticism, Zelenskyy stressed Ukraine would not disrupt diplomacy. He held talks with a US delegation led by army secretary Dan Driscoll, who may visit Moscow next week. The White House said the plan was 'good' for both sides and pursued an 'aggressive timeline' for agreement.
