Russia has stated that it has yet to receive any formal communication from the United States concerning the proposed peace plan, following remarks from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky who expressed willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration on its vision to resolve the ongoing war.
The leaked US plan reportedly contains provisions that Kyiv had previously dismissed, including ceding parts of the eastern Donetsk region, reducing military personnel, and pledging not to join NATO. These elements have drawn criticism, being perceived as heavily favorable to Moscow, prompting a measured response from Zelensky's administration.
As the Russian military operations persist, resulting in casualties such as six reported deaths overnight in regions like Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk, the urgency for diplomatic solutions remains paramount. Within this context, the draft agreement has surfaced amid Russia's assertions of minor territorial progress and Ukraine grappling with domestic challenges tied to corruption scandals.
The White House has maintained that Ukraine's involvement was active during the plan's formulation, with recent talks involving US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev. There were claims from a US official that the agreement was drafted shortly after discussions with Rustem Umerov, a top aide to Zelensky, who is said to have suggested amendments before the proposal reached the President.
Umerov clarified on social media that he did not endorse the plan, confirming Ukraine's ongoing evaluation of its allies' suggestions. Zelensky has been careful in his public remarks, refraining from outright dismissal of the plan, yet expressing appreciation for Trump's efforts in potentially restoring security in Europe.
As Russia awaits formal engagement on this matter, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov acknowledged the absence of an official proposal from the US while stressing Russia's openness to peace talks. The Kremlin's long-standing position demands that any peace negotiations must address the conflict's fundamental causes, which Ukraine perceives as unreasonable demands for capitulation.
As the geopolitical tensions escalate and Trump faces discontent over negotiations with Russia, the proposed plan remains subject to scrutiny from various European officials who underscore the necessity of Ukrainian and European buy-in for any viable resolution.
