“`html
Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to speak with Donald Trump following the presentation of a U.S. draft peace plan aimed at resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
The proposed plan was reportedly formulated by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart, Kirill Dmitriev, without direct involvement from Ukrainian representatives.
According to a statement released by Zelensky’s office, the U.S. believes the draft has the potential to “help reinvigorate diplomacy.” Ukraine has “agreed to work on the plan’s provisions in a way that would bring about a just end to the war,” the statement added.
Kyiv expressed support for “all substantive proposals capable of bringing genuine peace closer,” the statement conveyed.
Details of the proposal remain undisclosed by Ukraine. However, sources cited by Axios, the Financial Times, and Reuters suggest it includes provisions for Kyiv to cede control of certain areas within the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, significantly reduce its military size, and relinquish a substantial portion of its weaponry.
If these demands are confirmed, they would strongly favor Moscow’s interests, potentially explaining Kyiv’s cautious response to the draft.
During a White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt refuted claims that the plan necessitates major concessions from Ukraine.
She stated that Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been “engaging both sides equally to understand what these countries would commit to.”
“It’s a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine,” she asserted, without elaborating further. “We believe that it should be acceptable to both sides. And we’re working very hard to get it done.”
Moscow has downplayed the significance of the plan, which is rumored to contain 28 points.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged “contacts” with the U.S. but stated there was “no process that could be called ‘consultations.'”
The statement from Zelensky’s office followed a meeting in Kyiv on Thursday between the Ukrainian president and senior U.S. military officials, including U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, and top U.S. Army Commander in Europe Gen. Chris Donahue.
Despite Kyiv’s reserved reaction to the draft, Zelensky expressed his “appreciation for the efforts of President Trump and his team to return security to Europe” – potentially a strategic move to maintain a positive relationship with the U.S. president, despite his administration’s perceived lenient stance towards Russia.
Neither Ukraine nor its European partners were involved in the drafting of the new plan. On Thursday, European foreign ministers cautioned against developing proposals without consulting Kyiv or Brussels.
“For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board,” stated EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Kremlin spokesman Peskov warned that any peace agreement must address the “root causes of the conflict,” a phrase Moscow frequently employs as a euphemism for a series of maximalist demands which, to Ukraine, are tantamount to surrender.
Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko told the BBC that Ukraine had “not been consulted.”
“It looks like someone wants to decide things for us,” she said. “And that’s very painful for most of us Ukrainians.”
Since commencing his second term earlier this year, Trump has initiated various efforts aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine, including a bilateral summit with Putin in Alaska, multiple visits by his envoy Witkoff to Moscow, and discussions with Zelensky and other Western leaders.
However, as the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, the two sides remain deeply divided on how to bring the conflict to an end.
While Ukraine has demonstrated increasing proficiency in targeting Russian military infrastructure and energy facilities with long-range drones, Moscow’s attacks on Ukrainian targets continue unabated.
Earlier this week, a Russian missile and drone attack on apartment buildings in the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people. More than a dozen individuals were still missing at the site as of Thursday.
The movements of the Yantar submarine are a cause for concern among British defense officials and are considered provocative.
Former Ukrainian military officer Serhiy Kuznetsov will face charges of anti-constitutional sabotage in Berlin.
John Healey has announced updates to the Navy’s protocols for tracking the vessel following a “dangerous” maneuver.
The Kremlin has confirmed that there are no plans for Russian participation in the upcoming talks.
Amidst European sanctions imposed on Moscow, a growing network of vessels sailing without valid flags has been observed transiting through European waters from Russia.
“`