Zelenskyy ‘Ready to Work’ on US Peace Plan Requiring Major Concessions

KYIV, UKRAINE — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has adopted a carefully measured response to a US-drafted peace plan for ending the war with Russia, stating he is ready to work on “their vision,” despite the leaked proposals requiring dramatic concessions Kyiv has previously called tantamount to capitulation.

The diplomatic push, spearheaded by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, was presented to Zelenskyy by a senior US military delegation, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, in Kyiv on Thursday.

Leaked details of the 28-point draft plan—which the White House insisted was developed with “input from both sides”—alarmed European capitals for its clear alignment with Moscow’s maximalist demands. Key reported provisions include:

Ukraine would be required to cede significant areas of the eastern Donetsk region it still controls, and potentially recognize Russian control over annexed Crimea and other occupied regions.

Kyiv must agree to limit its army to 600,000 personnel (other reports suggest 400,000) and forgo many of its long-range weapons.

Ukraine must pledge not to join Nato.

The plan suggests lifting sanctions and inviting Russia back into the G7, effectively restoring the G8 bloc.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the plan, stating it was a “good plan for both” sides and had involved engagement “equally with both sides,” contrary to initial reports that Ukraine and its European allies were excluded.

The secretive nature of the drafting process drew sharp criticism from Europe, the main financial and military backer of Kyiv since the US shifted its funding strategy. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul referred to the proposal as merely a “list of topics and options,” while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated flatly: “Not that I know of,” when asked if Europe was involved in the drafting.

Zelenskyy, who stressed Ukraine needs a “real peace” that will not be broken by a third invasion, has been careful not to reject the plan publicly, praising President Trump’s “efforts… to return security to Europe.”

The pressure on the Ukrainian leader is mounting on two fronts:

Zelenskyy is facing a domestic crisis implicating top officials in a $100 million corruption scandal, weakening his negotiating position.

Russia has maintained its punishing aerial campaign. Late Thursday, an attack on Zaporizhzhia killed at least five people, following the deadly strike on Ternopil earlier in the week that left at least 28 people dead with 17 still missing.