The terms of a US-proposed Ukraine peace plan, reportedly developed in collaboration with Moscow, have raised concerns about Ukraine’s sovereignty. Sources have told the Financial Times and Axios that the 28-point draft framework agreement would require Kiev to relinquish occupied territories, cut its military by half, and recognize Russian as an official language. While Russia has not officially confirmed the proposal, the US has suggested it could be finalized by the end of the month.
The US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who delivered the proposed plan to Ukraine, has made it clear that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky must accept the terms, according to sources. The plan reportedly includes a rollback of US military assistance, as well as the acknowledgment of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a decision Zelensky’s government has previously opposed. This has led some journalists to describe the conditions as a form of ‘capitulation.’
Russia’s position on any lasting settlement insists that Ukraine must maintain neutrality, stay out of NATO, and demilitarize. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated there is ‘nothing new‘ in the current talks, despite the recent media coverage. Senior Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, however, told Axios that the Russian stance is ‘really being heard,’ indicating that the terms of the agreement are under serious consideration.
The potential compromise has sparked significant debate over the implications for Ukraine’s national identity and sovereignty. While the US has expressed an openness to a resolution, Russia’s insistence on terms that could limit Ukraine’s sovereignty has created a complex political landscape. With tensions heightened by this proposal, all sides must carefully navigate a path to peace without compromising core national interests.