A series of media reports suggest the United States has drafted a new proposal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, one that would require Kyiv to surrender territory, reduce its military strength and abandon certain weapon systems. The plan, reportedly developed with input from Russian officials, has been quietly communicated to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, signalling that Washington expects Kyiv to consider the terms despite their controversial nature.
According to unnamed officials cited by the Financial Times and other outlets, the framework overwhelmingly favors Moscow’s long-standing demands. Ukraine would be required to cede all remaining territory in the eastern Donbas region, including areas still under Kyiv’s control, and cut its armed forces by half. The proposal also calls for rolling back US military assistance, recognizing Russian as an official language, and granting special legal status to the Ukrainian branch of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Ukrainian officials familiar with the discussions have rejected the draft as a “non-starter,” warning that the concessions effectively align with the Kremlin’s blueprint for ending the conflict. The news arrives at a moment of acute vulnerability for Ukraine, which has lost ground in the east and continues urging allies for more weapons and support.
Zelenskyy emphasized that American leadership must remain “effective and strong” if the nearly four-year war is to end. Speaking on Telegram, he said peace can only be achieved through coordinated action with partners not by capitulating to pressures that undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The proposal was reportedly delivered in Miami by US envoy Steve Witkoff during meetings with Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov. However, Russia has denied the existence of any new peace plan. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow has received no official communication and urged observers to rely on formal diplomatic channels, not media leaks.
While top-level negotiations remain stalled, both sides have recently indicated interest in resuming prisoner exchanges, with Turkiye and the UAE mediating. Zelenskyy’s visit to Ankara on Wednesday included talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who called for a revival of the Istanbul negotiation format, urging both parties to adopt a “pragmatic, results-oriented approach.”
