Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly broken his silence regarding a U.S.-backed peace plan aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. During a recent trip to Kyrgyzstan, Putin expressed that Moscow is prepared for serious discussions concerning the draft proposals that have emerged from the diplomatic efforts of the U.S. and Ukraine. This marks a significant moment in the nearly four-year-long conflict, as Putin acknowledged that the outlines of the peace plan could potentially serve as a foundation for a future agreement.
In his comments, translated by Reuters, Putin stated, “In general, we agree that this can be the basis for future agreements.” His remarks came amidst a backdrop of intensified diplomatic activities between the U.S. and Ukraine, following the emergence of a 28-point peace plan that appeared to heavily favor Russia's demands. In response, Ukraine and its European allies quickly mobilized to adjust the plan, incorporating their counter-proposals during discussions held in Geneva over the weekend. This meeting included a U.S. delegation led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The current draft of the peace plan has reportedly been condensed into 19 key proposals and has gained Ukraine's tentative backing. This development now places the onus on Russia to determine if it can accept the framework and build upon it. On Wednesday, Yuri Ushakov, a close aide to Putin, indicated that while Russia had not seen an official version of the latest U.S.-backed draft, it had reviewed an unofficial version, which contained elements that the Kremlin viewed positively, albeit with several points needing further analysis.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov welcomed the U.S. initiative regarding peace proposals but emphasized that Moscow would not make concessions on critical issues related to the settlement of the Ukraine conflict. This suggests that significant challenges remain on the path to a comprehensive peace agreement. Meanwhile, Putin's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov cautioned against premature conclusions about the war's end, stating, “It's too early to say that,” when asked if this marked the closest Russia and Ukraine had been to a peace deal.
In his remarks on Thursday, Putin praised the advancements made by Russian forces in Ukraine, asserting that hostilities would only cease when Ukrainian troops withdraw from key positions. He reiterated Moscow's commitment to achieving its objectives, suggesting that Russia remains unwilling to relinquish its goal of full control over the eastern Donbas region, a crucial component of the initial peace plan.
Reports surfaced on Tuesday indicating that a Ukrainian delegation, having met with U.S. officials in Abu Dhabi, showed tentative support for the U.S.-backed peace framework. However, key details of the agreement remain unresolved. Both ABC News and CBS News reported that an unnamed U.S. official indicated Ukrainian agreement to the deal, although several points still needed clarification. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later affirmed that Kyiv was prepared to advance the peace framework.
In a statement made at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about nearing a deal, stating, “I think we're getting very close to a deal. We'll find out ... I think we're making progress.” He later reiterated this sentiment in a post on Truth Social, indicating that only a few remaining points of disagreement were left to resolve.
As the situation develops and negotiations continue, the international community remains hopeful for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, as both sides appear to be making tentative steps towards a potential agreement.