This is a 28 point project developed by the United States. America’s plan for peace in Ukraine was presented this Thursday evening by the Trump administration to its counterparts in Russia and Ukraine. Kyiv said it was ready to work “constructively” with Washington on the document. Russia has not yet responded. France, through Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, warned that peace must not be achieved “through the surrender” of Ukraine. But what’s in this plan?
- Russia will recover some eastern and southern regions
This is the most important thing, and of course it will also pose the greatest difficulty: Kyiv will cede the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in the east to Russia. Both territories claimed by Moscow, and Crimea which was annexed by Russia in 2014, would be “de facto recognized as Russian territory, including by the United States”, according to the project. Two other regions in the South would be divided along the current frontline route, namely Kherson and Zaporizhia.
Will Ukraine accept this proposal? Currently caught in a deadly battle, Kiev is tempted to end this war. The White House also emphasized that discussions on the peace plan are still ongoing, while Ukraine’s army, which is smaller and less equipped, is struggling to contain Russia’s push on the front lines.
However, just as President Volodymyr Zelensky called for “peace with dignity” that respects the “independence” and “sovereignty” of the Ukrainian people, he could hardly have imagined that after fighting for almost 4 years, he would finally cede most of his territory to the enemy.
- Restrictions were imposed on Ukraine
The plan includes several elements aimed at calming the area. Specifically by requesting that the Ukrainian army be limited to 600,000 troops. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) will promise not to station troops in Ukraine. However, European fighters could be based in Poland. Kyiv will also abandon its membership of NATO, but will be “eligible” to become a member of the European Union.
Will these conditions also be accepted by Ukraine, the country that was attacked and demands security guarantees? “The President (Trump) supports this plan,” assured White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. This is a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine and we believe it is acceptable to both sides. » He assured that Washington had been in discussions with Ukraine and Russia, after voices emerged from the Ukrainian side deploring the plan that was very close to the Kremlin’s demands.
Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke with American Army Minister Daniel Driscoll, plans to have discussions “in the coming days” with his American counterpart Donald Trump.
- Security and reconstruction plans
The 28-point proposal seen by AFP provides “security guarantees” for Ukraine, the contents of which were not specified, and a reconstruction plan.
The project provides for reconstruction efforts undertaken by the United States to be financed by $100 billion from now-frozen Russian assets.
The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant will be relaunched under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its electricity production will be channeled 50% to Ukraine and 50% to Russia.
- And increasing surveillance of Russia
The American-backed peace plan provides for the signing of a “non-aggression pact” between Russia, Ukraine and Europe. If Russia invades Ukraine again, according to the draft plan, Russia would face a “coordinated” military response and would again be subject to international sanctions. Therefore, there were few concessions on the part of Russia, which was less experienced on the other side of the border.
A senior official in Kyiv lamented that the peace proposal was prepared by Russia and approved by America, and stressed that what Moscow should do in return was “not clear.”
Ukraine’s European allies, however, insist that any agreement includes both the EU and Kiev’s positions. “For this plan to succeed, Ukraine and Europe must get involved,” EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas said Thursday.
