Ukraine has made significant amendments to the US “peace plan” aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, several of Russia’s maximalist demands have been removed from the original framework. On Monday, European leaders cautioned that a swift resolution was unlikely, emphasizing the complexities involved in the negotiations.
Reports suggest that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may meet former President Donald Trump at the White House later this week. This comes in the wake of intensified communications between Kyiv and Washington, as Ukraine seeks to involve European nations more directly in the peace talks. The original 28-point US-Russian plan, crafted last month by Kirill Dmitriev, the special envoy for Vladimir Putin, and Trump’s representative Steve Witkoff, called for Ukraine to withdraw from several cities it currently controls in the eastern Donbas region, limit its military size, and refrain from joining NATO.
During negotiations held in Switzerland on Sunday, led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, the peace plan underwent substantial revisions. The amended plan now consists of only 19 points. Ukrainian officials, along with their European partners, assert that the current frontline should serve as the starting point for territorial discussions. They firmly believe that there should be no recognition of land seized by Russia through military action, and that Ukraine should independently decide its future regarding EU and NATO membership—an area the Kremlin seeks to control.
Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergiy Kyslytsya, indicated to the Financial Times that contentious issues had been “placed in brackets” for further discussion between Trump and Zelenskyy. Rubio described the talks as “very, very positive.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed cautious optimism, stating, “Is it really possible that big progress is being made in Peace Talks between Russia and Ukraine??? Don’t believe it until you see it, but something good just may be happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
After returning from Geneva, Ukraine’s delegation briefed Zelenskyy on the progress of the negotiations, describing the latest version of the peace plan as more realistic. Separately, Zelenskyy communicated with US Vice President JD Vance, urging for European nations’ involvement in the ongoing discussions. Vance reportedly agreed to this approach.
Despite the revisions, the Kremlin has signaled that the original 28-point plan, which was perceived as favorable to Moscow, still does not fully meet its demands. Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s top foreign policy aide, stated that Moscow would seek to “rework” certain aspects of the plan. He noted that while some provisions seemed acceptable to Russia, others would require detailed discussions and reviews among the parties involved.
The UK and EU were caught off guard last week when the original plan was leaked to US media. In response, UK Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, a friend of Vance, traveled to Kyiv with a military delegation to brief Zelenskyy on the plan’s details. European governments are now working to revise the document, which was initially drafted in Russian. EU leaders attending a summit in Angola acknowledged some progress but stressed that substantial work remains, insisting that Europe must be fully involved and that Russia should participate in the discussions for any meaningful advancement.
European Council President António Costa highlighted a “new momentum” following discussions at the summit, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the “refined peace framework” as a solid basis for future negotiations. She reaffirmed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty must be respected, asserting that only Ukraine can make decisions regarding its armed forces.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the need for both Europe and Russia to be involved, stating, “The next step must be: Russia must come to the table.” He added that any agreement must receive European consent, particularly on issues affecting European interests and sovereignty. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk remarked on the delicate nature of the talks, stressing the importance of maintaining US support in the process.
Ukraine’s position has become increasingly vulnerable in recent weeks, particularly following a corruption scandal that led to the dismissal of two ministers amidst Russia’s battlefield gains. Reports indicate that Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, experienced a devastating drone attack, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. Local emergency response teams reported harrowing scenes, with survivors expressing gratitude for the lives saved amid the tragedy.
Simultaneously, Russian air defenses intercepted Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow, leading to temporary flight restrictions at three airports serving the capital. The ongoing conflict continues to escalate, with both sides preparing for the next phases of negotiation and military strategy.