The Proposal That Could End the Russia-Ukraine War—But at What Cost?
Introduction: A Controversial Path to Peace
A U.S.-authored peace proposal has emerged as the centrepiece of efforts to end the nearly four-year Russia-Ukraine war, but the plan has sparked controversy and diplomatic tensions. President Donald Trump recently criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators completed three days of talks, claiming Zelenskyy “hasn’t read” the peace proposal. The proposal’s terms, which have evolved through multiple iterations, have become a flashpoint in international diplomacy.
What’s in the Proposal?
President Trump has been backing a 28-point plan drafted by envoy Steve Witkoff and an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, though the document has since undergone revisions. The revised plan has been reduced to 19 points, although it remains unclear which parts were removed. The plan calls for Ukraine to abandon territory, give up some weapons and shrink its army, terms that have raised serious concerns in Kyiv and European capitals.
European allies have responded by developing their own counter-proposal. Kyiv’s European partners pitched the plan as a counter-proposal to the 28-point document, which was criticised for heavily favouring Russia, with the European version raising the limits on the Ukrainian military from 600,000 to 800,000 troops and dropping the demand for Ukraine to cede additional territory in Donbas.
Diplomatic Tensions Mount
Tensions are mounting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy after Trump accused Ukraine’s head of state of not reading the U.S. peace proposals. In response, Zelenskyy said he is finalising a revised 20-point peace proposal that he will deliver to the U.S. soon, stating it “could define the parameters for ending the war”. The Ukrainian president has also emphasised that from Kyiv’s perspective, “there can be no reward for waging war”.
Zelenskyy travelled to London for talks with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as Kyiv and its European allies scramble to ensure that Ukraine’s territorial integrity and future security are not compromised.
Conclusion: High Stakes for Global Security
The fate of these competing proposals will determine not only Ukraine’s future but also the broader European security architecture. Ukraine’s European allies are anxious to be heard as peace proposals are discussed without their involvement, particularly given the security ramifications any deal will have for the wider continent. As negotiations continue behind closed doors, the international community watches closely to see whether diplomacy can end one of the 21st century’s most devastating conflicts—and on what terms. For Ukraine and its allies, the question remains whether any proposal can deliver a just and lasting peace that doesn’t reward aggression.