As the war in Ukraine nears its second anniversary, a new U.S. peace proposal is facing strong opposition from Kyiv and raising concerns among European allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly warned the plan-details of wich include territorial concessions to Russia and a permanent bar to NATO membership-would compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty and dignity. The proposal has prompted urgent diplomatic consultations between Zelenskyy and key European leaders, as well as discussions with U.S.Vice President JD Vance, signaling a critical juncture in the stalled peace process.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that proposed American peace terms would leave Ukraine without freedom, dignity, or justice, and cautioned against trusting a nation that has already invaded twice. The comments reflect growing concern in Kyiv over the direction of potential negotiations with Russia.
“I will present arguments, I will persuade, I will propose alternatives,” Zelenskyy stated, adding, “I will never betray… my oath of allegiance to Ukraine.”
Following these remarks, Zelenskyy held discussions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance regarding the proposed plan, according to a source within the Ukrainian presidential office, though details of the conversation were not disclosed.
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European Leaders Coordinate Response
Zelenskyy engaged in urgent consultations with the leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – key allies in the face of both Moscow and Washington – to discuss the evolving situation.
“We are working on the document prepared by the American side” to “ensure a real and dignified peace” for Ukraine, Zelenskyy announced on X following the call with Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, and Friedrich Merz.
The European leaders emphasized the need for a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine that fully involves Kyiv, and affirmed that any decision requires the “joint support and consensus” of Europeans and NATO, according to a statement from the Élysée Palace. The development underscores the importance of a unified European front in the ongoing crisis.
Germany’s chancellery added that Europeans want to ensure “the Ukrainian armed forces are able to effectively defend the sovereignty of Ukraine.”
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated that any “peace solution” for Ukraine must respect its “territorial integrity,” on the eve of a G20 meeting in Johannesburg.
A U.S. official revealed Thursday that the proposed plan for Ukraine includes security guarantees from Washington and its European allies comparable to NATO membership in the event of a future attack, confirming earlier press reports.
According to the plan, seen by the Associated Press, Kyiv would commit to never joining NATO and would not receive a deployment of Western forces on its soil, although European fighter jets stationed in Poland would be used to protect the country.
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Potential Concessions from Ukraine
The plan incorporates several long-standing demands from the Kremlin that had previously been rejected by Kyiv.
It envisions Kyiv ceding control of eastern Ukraine to Moscow and accepting the occupation of parts of southern Ukraine. The regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in the east, along with the Crimean Peninsula annexed in 2014, would be “de facto recognized as Russian, including by the United States,” and Moscow would receive additional Ukrainian territories currently under Kyiv’s control.
Russia would also see its isolation from the Western world end with reintegration into the G8 and a gradual lifting of sanctions, and Kyiv’s permanent renunciation of NATO membership would be enshrined in the Ukrainian constitution.
Ukraine would limit its army to 600,000 soldiers and rely on European fighter jets based in Poland for protection, while NATO would commit to not stationing troops in Ukraine.
The plan also calls for Ukraine to hold elections within 100 days, a point that echoes Moscow’s demands for the removal of President Zelenskyy.
Russia, whose troops continue to claim the capture of new villages along the front lines each week, has urged Zelenskyy to negotiate “now” rather than risk losing more territory. “The space for him to make decisions is shrinking as he loses territories,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during his daily briefing.
In Kyiv, the word “capitulation” was on everyone’s lips Friday. “I really hope the Ukrainian side will refuse to implement such an agreement,” said Danylo Domsky, an 18-year-old student, to the Associated Press.
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