President Donald Trump’s proposed plan for ending the ongoing war in Ukraine has raised significant concerns, as it reportedly includes terms that many view as overly beneficial to Russia. According to a draft obtained by The Associated Press, the plan would involve Ukraine ceding territory to Russia and limiting the size of its military, both of which are likely to be unacceptable to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The draft proposal, which emerged from negotiations between Washington and Moscow, raises the prospect of Russia gaining control over the eastern Donbas region, even as around 14% of it remains under Ukrainian control. Furthermore, it would prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and bar any future expansion of the alliance, a move seen as a significant victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In an effort to address Ukrainian security concerns, the proposal includes a side agreement stipulating that any future significant armed attack from Russia would be considered a threat to the transatlantic community's peace and security. However, this agreement does not obligate the United States or European allies to intervene militarily on Ukraine's behalf, although they would claim the right to determine necessary security measures.
Trump’s approach could create friction with European leaders, who are likely to oppose any terms that may be interpreted as rewarding Putin’s past aggressive actions. The draft also suggests that the lifting of sanctions on Russia could be on the table, allowing Moscow to return to the Group of Eight, from which it was suspended in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea.
The U.S. team has been working on the plan following discussions between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Rustem Umerov, a top adviser to Zelenskyy. Umerov reportedly agreed to many aspects of the plan, albeit with modifications, and shared it with Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has announced his impending departure from the position.
Under the proposed plan, Russia would agree to a truce that prohibits future attacks. Additionally, $100 billion of frozen Russian assets would be allocated to help rebuild Ukraine. However, the concessions required by the plan—such as territorial transfers—are expected to be deeply unpopular in Ukraine and could contravene the country’s constitution. Zelenskyy has firmly ruled out any acceptance of territorial concessions.
Moreover, the draft includes provisions that would permit Russia to retain half of the power produced by the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which it captured early in the conflict. A “Peace Council” proposed in the draft would be overseen by Trump, reflecting a similar idea from his broader plan regarding conflicts in the Middle East.
As European diplomats expressed alarm about the draft’s implications, insisting that both the EU and Ukraine should have a role in such negotiations, U.S. officials have indicated that input from both sides was considered during the planning process. European leaders have criticized the proposal for lacking substantial concessions from the Russian side, labeling it as favoring Moscow excessively.
Ukrainian officials, including Deputy U.N. Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn, confirmed receipt of the draft and indicated readiness to engage constructively, but firmly emphasized Ukraine's “red lines.” These include a rejection of any recognition of occupied Ukrainian territory as Russian, as well as a denial of restrictions on Ukraine’s right to self-defense or military capabilities.
The unexpected revelations about Trump’s plan follow previous diplomatic efforts that have yielded limited results. Efforts for a summit between Trump and Putin have faltered, compounding a sense of urgency and apprehension among involved parties about reaching a viable resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
