Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared his readiness for constructive and honest work with Washington on a proposed peace plan to end the ongoing conflict with Russia, following high-level talks with US officials in Kyiv.
Secret Peace Deal Details Emerge
The development comes as the White House confirmed it has been secretly developing a 28-point peace proposal that would require significant concessions from Ukraine while offering Russia substantial rewards, including rejoining the G7 and having frozen assets returned.
According to multiple reports, the controversial plan would demand that Ukraine cede control of the entire Donbas region while retaining legal ownership, effectively creating a lease arrangement with Russia paying an undisclosed rental fee. The proposal also calls for recognising Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk as de facto Russian territory.
Military Restrictions and Security Guarantees
The US-backed plan contains provisions that would significantly restrict Ukraine's military capabilities, requiring Kyiv to reduce its armed forces to 600,000 troops - roughly half its current size - and banning possession of long-range missiles.
Additional measures would block foreign troop deployments in Ukraine, cease US military assistance, and prevent foreign diplomatic aircraft from landing in the country. In return, Ukraine would receive robust security guarantees, though specific details remain undisclosed.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that special envoy Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio have been working quietly for about a month on the proposal, engaging with both Russia and Ukraine equally to understand what commitments each side would make for a lasting peace.
European Allies Express Concerns
The emerging peace plan has already drawn significant pushback from European allies who view the proposed concessions as punishing to Ukraine and potentially tantamount to capitulation.
Zelensky's office, while not commenting directly on the plan's content, stated the president had outlined the fundamental principles that matter to the Ukrainian people during his meeting with US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.
The Ukrainian leader is expected to discuss the diplomatic opportunities and key points required to achieve peace with President Trump in the coming days, according to official statements.
Ongoing Military Conflict
Meanwhile, the fighting continues unabated across multiple fronts. Russian attacks on the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia killed five people and injured three, with regional governor Ivan Fedorov sharing images of buildings engulfed in flames and streets littered with rubble.
Ukraine's military has denied Russian claims of capturing the northeastern city of Kupiansk, with the General Staff insisting the city remains under Ukrainian control despite statements from Russia's chief of staff Valery Gerasimov to President Vladimir Putin.
The two sides have also conducted a new exchange of soldiers' bodies, with Ukraine receiving 1,000 remains and Russia reportedly getting back 30, according to official statements from both sides.
