A US-backed peace proposal to end the war in Ukraine has undergone significant revision following urgent interventions by European allies. The original draft, championed by associates of Donald Trump, was widely condemned for being heavily biased toward Russian demands. It reportedly called for Ukraine to cede the Donbas, freeze conflict lines in the south, and accept a permanent ban on NATO membership. European diplomats, fearing a forced capitulation of Kyiv, successfully negotiated to reduce the proposal from 28 points to 19.
Vladimir Putin, however, remains confident in his position. He recently stated that the proposal could serve as a basis for future agreements, acknowledging that the US had taken Russia’s stance into account. Yet, he continues to enforce a hard line, demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from key territories as a precondition for a ceasefire. If Ukraine refuses, Putin warned, Russia will continue to pursue its objectives through military force.
The situation places Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a bind. Having initially rejected the draft as an “impossible choice” involving the loss of dignity, the revised plan offers a slightly more palatable, though still difficult, path forward. Ukrainian officials have indicated they are now ready to discuss the sensitive points of the revised plan directly with the US, hoping to salvage their partnership while maintaining national sovereignty.
The diplomatic landscape is further complicated by upcoming talks between Russian officials and Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff. While the US and Russia engage in high-level dialogue, Putin continues to undermine Kyiv’s standing by claiming the Ukrainian government is illegitimate due to expired election terms. This tactic aims to weaken Ukraine’s negotiating hand even as the revised plan is debated.
Amidst these revisions and diplomatic strategies, the war rages on. The disconnect between the refined clauses of a peace treaty and the brutal reality of drone strikes on residential buildings remains stark. As Europe, the US, and Russia debate the terms of Ukraine’s future, the fighting on the frontlines continues to define the daily reality of the conflict.