A new Ukraine peace plan circulated by President Donald Trump’s U.S. administration outlines a detailed 28-point framework aimed at ending Russia’s war on its neighbor.
The proposal — which was initially published on Ukrainian Telegram channels, later obtained and verified by POLITICO, and titled “U.S.-Russia-drafted peace plan” — would confirm Ukraine’s sovereignty, but limit its armed forces to 600,000 personnel and bar the country from joining NATO permanently.
Elements of the proposal were harshly criticized by European and Ukrainian officials on Thursday, claiming that Trump’s plan only favors Moscow and would encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to attack NATO next.
NATO should also agree to “not accept Ukraine at any moment in the future” and “not to deploy its troops in Ukraine,” according to the text.
In return, Russia would commit to not attack again and be granted reintegration into the global economy, including potential sanctions relief that will be discussed “on a case-by-case basis” and an invitation to return to the G7 — which was formerly the G8 before Russia was booted out in 2014 after its illegal annexation of Crimea and military intervention in eastern Ukraine.
Crimea, and the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk will be recognized as de facto Russian territory, while land in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions will be frozen along current frontlines.
The plan also recognizes Ukraine’s “right to EU membership” as well as a major international reconstruction package, funded in part by currently frozen Russian assets. The agreement would also establish a Peace Council, chaired by Trump, to oversee implementation and enforce sanctions for violations.
“Once all parties agree to this memorandum, the ceasefire will take effect immediately after both sides withdraw to the agreed positions required to begin implementation of the agreement,” the final point said.
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