Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have revealed a contentious peace plan aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Central to this proposal is the demand that Ukraine relinquish control of the entire Donbas region, which includes the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, and a prohibition on NATO troops being stationed in the country. The plan suggests that both the Donbas and Crimea will be recognized as de facto Russian territory by the United States.
According to details outlined in a draft presented to Kyiv, the regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would remain frozen at their current frontlines, while Russia would withdraw from other occupied Ukrainian territories. The urgency for a resolution has escalated as President Trump has expressed growing impatience over stalled peace negotiations, previously advocating for a cessation of hostilities at existing battle lines.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Trump’s proposal as a “good compromise” last month. Yet, uncertainty lingers regarding his acceptance of the complete loss of the Donbas region. The 28-point plan was reportedly crafted by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, notably without Ukraine’s participation.
The draft stipulates that Ukraine would receive security guarantees but would need to downsize its military and forgo long-range weaponry. Furthermore, Ukraine would have to commit to never joining NATO, a primary demand from President Putin. In exchange, Russia would be held accountable for not invading neighboring countries, including NATO states, with severe sanctions imposed if violations occur.
Moscow is expected to gain economic advantages from the arrangement, including potential reinstatement into the G8. However, European nations are reportedly expressing strong opposition to what they perceive as excessively favorable terms for the Kremlin.
As February approaches, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, diplomatic efforts are intensifying. The Ukrainian President’s office announced that Zelensky and Trump are set to discuss the draft peace deal in the coming days. “We are ready now, as before, to work constructively with the American side, as well as with our partners in Europe and around the world, so that the outcome is peace,” the statement read.
The proposal raises significant questions regarding the future presence of NATO forces in Ukraine. There were hopes for a multinational peacekeeping coalition, led by the UK and France, to secure peace in the event of a ceasefire. However, the stipulation that NATO troops will not be permitted in Ukraine casts doubt on the feasibility of this coalition moving forward.
