In a pivotal development in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Moscow is actively reviewing a US-drafted peace plan presented earlier this month, with expectations of substantial modifications from all stakeholders including Russia, Ukraine, the US, and the EU. Presidential aide Yury Ushakov highlighted that many elements of the proposal appear acceptable to Russia, potentially forming the basis for a final settlement as noted by President Vladimir Putin. The plan reportedly includes de facto recognition of Russian control over Crimea and Donbass, a cap on Ukraine's military capabilities, and a pledge for Kiev to remain outside NATO. However, the EU's counterproposal, voiced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, insists on no military caps for Ukraine, unaltered borders without force, and a central EU role in negotiations—conditions dismissed by Ushakov as unconstructive. Recent US-Ukraine talks in Geneva, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, achieved progress but underscored the need for Moscow's buy-in. As direct US-Russia discussions loom, this evolving diplomatic landscape could reshape Europe's security dynamics, emphasizing the delicate balance of concessions and guarantees in peace efforts. Keywords like Ukraine peace plan, Russia-US talks, and Putin-Zelenskyy negotiations underscore the global stakes in ending the war that has raged since 2022, affecting energy markets, NATO expansion, and international alliances.
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Russia is currently reviewing the US-drafted peace plan to end the conflict between Moscow and Kiev and expects it to be heavily modified by all the interested parties, presidential aide Yury Ushakov told journalists on Monday. “Many” parts of the original US proposal “appear to be acceptable” to Moscow, he added.[1]
Washington presented its plan to both Moscow and Kiev earlier this month. The details of the proposal have not been officially revealed by the media, but reports suggest that it includes de facto recognition of Russian control over Crimea and Donbass, a cap on Kiev’s military and a call on Ukraine to stay out of NATO.[2][3]
According to Ushakov, Russia has received a “signal” from the US that Washington would like to do discuss the proposal in a face-to-face meeting at some point, but there are no definite arrangements yet.
“It will, of course, be subject to revision and modification – on our side, and surely on the Ukrainian side as well, and on the American and European sides. This is a very serious issue,” he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has already said that the US proposal could become the “basis of the final peace settlement.”[4]
The EU presented its own set of demands for a future peace deal over the weekend that appear to go against the reported provisions of the original US-drafted proposal. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Sunday that no cap should be placed on Kiev’s military and that the EU should be given a “central” role in the peace settlement. Ukraine’s borders cannot be changed “by force,” she added.[5]
Commenting on the development on Monday, Ushakov branded the EU conditions “unconstructive” and said that Russia could not accept them.[6]
American officials discussed Washington’s original plan with the EU and Ukrainian representatives in Geneva on Sunday. According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a “tremendous amount of progress” was made on the issue but Moscow’s support would also be essential for any deal to hold.[7][8]