Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet top Pentagon officials in Kyiv Thursday, amid reports of a US-Russia peace plan that could reshape the ongoing conflict.
The plan, reportedly developed by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian adviser Kirill Dmitriev, is said to include 28 points that demand Ukraine concede territory to Russia.
According to early reports, Kyiv may be expected to relinquish control of the remaining Russian-occupied areas of eastern Donbas, significantly reducing its territorial integrity against Moscow’s occupation.
In addition, Ukraine could face directives to reduce its armed forces by up to 50 percent, limiting its military capability, particularly regarding long-range missiles that could target Russia.
The proposals reportedly call for Ukraine to curb or end US military assistance while forbidding future deployment of western troops, including those envisioned by the Franco-British-led Coalition of the Willing.
Cultural provisions in the draft plan reportedly include granting Russian official language status and formal recognition of the Russian Orthodox Church, raising concerns about potential attempts to “russify” Ukraine.
As part of the arrangement, the US could offer security guarantees to Ukraine and Europe against future Russian aggression, although details of such assurances remain unclear in the current reports.
The plan appears to echo Moscow’s maximalist demands, violating numerous Ukrainian red lines, and would require a major policy reversal from Zelenskyy, who previously stated that ceding territory is unacceptable.
European allies of Ukraine are also likely to view the plan unfavourably, emphasizing that any peace settlement should involve European input given the implications for NATO’s eastern flank.
The US and Russian drafting team reportedly includes Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, and Steve Witkoff, US special envoy, who have both previously participated in Ukraine negotiations.
No US officials have officially confirmed the contents of the draft plan, with White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller stating there are no news or announcements on this matter.
US state secretary Marco Rubio commented cryptically that ending a complex and deadly war such as Ukraine’s requires a “serious and realistic exchange of ideas” from both parties.
Rubio added that achieving durable peace will demand difficult concessions, highlighting that the US continues to develop proposals informed by both sides of the conflict.
Meanwhile, Ukraine prepares for Zelenskyy’s meeting with the US delegation led by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, following discussions with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko earlier Thursday.
Svyrydenko met Driscoll to evaluate the situation on the ground and witness firsthand the consequences of Russian attacks, emphasizing the need to maintain sanctions pressure on Moscow.
The prime minister reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, which is intended to support post-war recovery efforts while bolstering the country’s defense capabilities.
The UK government stressed that only the Ukrainian people can determine their future, with a No 10 spokesperson reiterating support for Ukraine while condemning continued Russian aggression.
The spokesperson added that Russia could end the war by withdrawing forces immediately, yet instead continues missile and drone strikes targeting civilians, infrastructure, and power facilities across Ukraine.
Recent Russian attacks have left more than 400,000 Ukrainians without electricity, forcing the National Energy Company “Ukrenergo” to implement hourly power outage schedules for residential and industrial consumers.
Damage to power lines and transformers has led nuclear power plants to reduce output, further straining energy availability as Russian strikes intensify across the country’s western regions.
In a rare instance of cooperation, Kyiv received the remains of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed by Russian forces, highlighting limited humanitarian exchanges amid continued hostilities.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed Russian rail sabotage with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, condemning attacks and reiterating the need for ongoing support for Ukraine while preparing for upcoming consultations.
Poland also formally requested the extradition of two Ukrainian citizens accused of sabotage on behalf of Russia, signaling broader international attention on Russian operations in the region.
Meanwhile, a Czech Republic train collision injured around 50 people, prompting President Petr Pavel to call for a transparent investigation into causes to prevent future accidents and ensure citizen safety.
The Czech crash occurred on the line between Zliv and Dívčice in the southern České Budějovice region, with preliminary reports indicating a signal violation and lack of ETCS safety systems.
In trade news, the EU-US deal agreed by Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen faces uncertainty, as amendments in the European parliamentary process may delay final adoption until February.
Bernd Lange, chair of the EU parliament committee on international trade, warned that unresolved tariff issues, including steel and wine import duties, complicate smooth passage of the deal.
Brazil’s EU ambassador criticized circulating “fake news” suggesting Latin American food exports could harm European consumers, clarifying that coffee and soy exports generate revenue and are unrelated to EU agricultural concerns.
China also confirmed ongoing supply disputes involving Nexperia, a Dutch-based, Chinese-owned chip company, stating that negotiations have not yet fully resolved production and delivery issues.
The Russian parliament warned that any EU seizure of frozen Russian assets should be met with legal challenges against Belgium and Euroclear, signaling potential escalation in financial disputes.
Across Europe, leaders remain focused on the broader impacts of the Ukraine war, balancing security guarantees, humanitarian assistance, energy concerns, and international trade, amid high tensions and diplomatic maneuvering.
As Zelenskyy meets US officials in Kyiv, global attention remains on whether any negotiated settlement could reconcile Ukraine’s sovereignty with Russian demands, while European partners and the US consider the wider geopolitical implications.
The unfolding situation underscores the complexity of ending the war, with security, territorial integrity, humanitarian issues, and energy supply all central to negotiations, while civilian suffering continues under persistent attacks.
The next few days will be critical as Kyiv evaluates the proposed peace plan, international allies react, and both the US and Russia attempt to shape outcomes without provoking further escalation or undermining Ukraine’s autonomy.
