The United States is intensifying diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine, with President Donald Trump sending special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow next week and US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll scheduled to meet Ukrainian officials. These high-level talks follow revisions to Trump’s controversial 28-point peace plan, which initially drew strong criticism from Ukraine and European allies.
Background: The Original 28-Point Peace Plan
The original draft, reportedly authored by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, leaked last week and sparked widespread backlash:
- Proposed Ukraine cede Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia to Russia
- Restricted Ukraine’s military to 600,000 troops
- Prevented Ukraine from joining NATO
- Included buffer zones, security guarantees from the US, and prisoner exchanges
The plan was criticized for rewarding Russian aggression, while sidelining Ukrainian input and raising concerns from European partners.
Reactions to the Original Plan
- Ukraine: Citizens and officials rejected the plan as a surrender that violated national law.
- Europe: The E3 powers—UK, France, and Germany—proposed an alternative framework allowing NATO membership and a higher military cap of 800,000 troops.
- EU Leadership: Ursula von der Leyen warned that territorial concessions would leave Ukraine vulnerable and stressed the EU’s central role in ensuring sustainable peace.
The leaked plan’s territorial provisions, especially the ceding of fertile eastern Ukraine, provoked widespread concern over European security and the precedent of changing borders by force.
The Revised 19-Point Peace Plan
Following Geneva talks between US and Ukrainian officials, a refined 19-point plan emerged. Key developments include:
- Removal of the 600,000 troop cap, giving Ukraine flexibility to maintain a larger army
- Revision of amnesty provisions to account for war crimes and the grievances of affected civilians
- Adjustments to restrictions on NATO troop presence, though the final terms remain to be decided by Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump
Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya described the talks as “intense” but ultimately positive, noting that territorial issues and NATO membership remain the most sensitive topics.
Challenges with Moscow
Despite progress between the US and Ukraine, Russia’s participation is uncertain:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to demand control over Crimea and four eastern regions of Ukraine
- Moscow has historically rejected NATO expansion and any increase in Ukraine’s military strength
- Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov stated that the peace plan was not yet discussed with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi, signaling potential resistance
US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, acknowledge that Russia’s agreement is critical to any final deal.
Next Steps
The final peace plan will require direct approval from Trump and Zelenskyy, with no firm deadlines currently set. US envoy Witkoff will meet Putin in Moscow, while Driscoll has already held preliminary discussions with Ukrainian officials.
President Zelenskyy emphasized that Kyiv is ready to advance the framework, while Trump has expressed optimism that peace can be finalized “as soon as possible”. The challenge remains in securing Moscow’s consent for revised terms, particularly regarding territorial concessions and military limitations.
Outlook
While the 19-point peace plan reflects significant concessions to Ukraine’s concerns compared to the original draft, major obstacles remain:
- Russia’s willingness to compromise on territory
- NATO and military presence in Ukraine
- Ensuring enforceable guarantees to prevent future aggression
Diplomats and analysts caution that the success of the revised plan depends not only on US-Ukraine consensus but also on Moscow’s unpredictable stance.
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