Ukraine makes significant changes to US 'peace plan'

Ukraine has significantly revised a leaked US-Russia “peace plan,” removing several of Moscow’s maximalist demands, including troop withdrawals from key eastern cities, limits on Ukraine’s army, and blocking NATO membership.

1news.media, citing The Guardian, reports that the original 28-point plan, drafted by Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Donald Trump’s representative Steve Witkoff, has been reduced to 19 points after negotiations in Switzerland between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.

Kyiv insists that any territorial discussions must start from the current frontline and rejects recognizing Russian-occupied land. Sensitive issues such as Ukraine’s future in NATO and the EU have been set aside for Trump and Zelensky to decide later. Zelensky may meet Trump in Washington this week, and Ukraine is pushing for European involvement.

While the US and Ukraine describe Sunday’s talks as positive, Moscow says the plan still “requires reworking” and has rejected a separate European counter-proposal.

European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, Friedrich Merz, Donald Tusk, Ulf Kristersson, and Keir Starmer, say progress has been made but insist peace must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, and Russia must eventually join the talks.

The leak caught Europe off guard, prompting EU members to revise the document. The US has denied claims that Trump is favouring Russia. Meanwhile, deadly overnight strikes by both sides underscore the ongoing intensity of the war. Zelensky remains politically vulnerable after corruption scandals and recent Russian advances.