New reports say that Donald Trump is pushing for a peace framework that would require Ukraine to make big concessions, like giving up land and cutting back on its military. This could change the course of the war in Ukraine. Multiple sources say that the United States wrote this proposal in close consultation with Vladimir Putin’s government. This has caused concern in Kyiv and among allies.
Here is a detailed look at what the plan is said to include, how it came about, the main reactions, and what it could mean for the course of the war
Important Terms for Ukraine
Major international news outlets say that the plan written by Steve Witkoff and the Russians has 28 separate points. Important points to remember are:
- Ukraine is being asked to give up a lot of land, including full control of the annexed Crimea peninsula and much of the Donbas region (Donetsk and Luhansk), as well as areas that are not yet under Russian control.
- Limits on Ukraine’s long-range missile capabilities and its ability to attack targets inside Russia.
- Stopping the fighting in southern Ukraine, especially in places like Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, while recognizing that Russia controls these areas.
- Any possible return of these areas would have to be negotiated later.
- A U.S. security guarantee for Ukraine and parts of Europe in exchange, but the details of this guarantee are still unclear and not well-defined.
Why Now? What Has Changed in Diplomacy
It is very important to understand the diplomatic context here. The war has been going on for years since Russia invaded in 2022, but recent signs show that Washington is putting more pressure on both sides to settle. This is partly because the costs of the war are rising in terms of money, people, and politics. There are reports that the U.S. has told Kyiv that it should accept this broad framework.
Trump has suggested a land-swap solution before. He publicly said in August 2025 that Ukraine and Russia would “have to swap some land” to make peace. The new 28-point framework seems to turn those earlier comments into a formal peace proposal.
Responses: From Kyiv to the EU
Kyiv’s Push-back
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his government have had mixed but strong reactions. Ukrainian officials say they found out about the U.S.-drafted plan through diplomatic channels and stress that they had nothing to do with writing it. Zelenskyy has turned down every offer that would require Ukraine to give up land. He said before:
“Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.”
The U.S. and Russia: An Air of Uncertainty
Washington has not officially confirmed that the plan exists. Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, said in public that the U.S. “will continue to develop a list of potential ideas for ending this war.” He also said that “both sides will need to agree to difficult but necessary concessions” for peace to last.
Russia, on the other hand, says that there is no such proposal being talked about. At the same time, Moscow keeps asking for recognition of the areas it controls and says that Ukraine must give up its NATO goals.
European Allies and Analysts: Be Careful and Worried
European diplomats have been skeptical, with one saying that the framework that was reported is “closer to a Russian demand than a serious U.S. proposal.” Military experts say that drastically cutting Ukraine’s military while accepting Russia’s territorial gains could make the area less stable.
One military researcher said:
“If the plan were put into action, Ukraine would have no way to defend itself against the next Russian attack.”
Why This Matters and What Could Happen
Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity
At its heart, the proposal questions whether Ukraine will be able to set the terms of its own peace. Accepting big losses of land would be a historic change with big effects on Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Effects on Regional Security
Many European countries are worried that the balance of power in Eastern Europe could change a lot if Ukraine’s military strength is greatly weakened and Russia keeps a lot of land. This could lead to more aggression in the future.
The Future of War and Legitimacy
For Ukraine to agree to such a deal, it would need real security guarantees that could be enforced. The risk of a new conflict stays high without them. There are still questions about how the rest of the world would enforce the terms if Russia broke the deal.
Politics in Russia and the U.S.
For the U.S., the proposal could be a way to show that it is a diplomatic leader in politics. For Russia, getting recognition for the territories it took would be a big strategic win. If Ukraine accepts a plan that was made somewhere else, people in Ukraine might see it as a loss of power.
Timeline: How We Got Here
- August 11, 2025 — Trump says in public that Ukraine and Russia “will have to swap some land” to make peace.
- November 20, 2025 — Several news sources say that U.S. and Russian officials have come up with a 28-point peace plan.
- November 20, 2025 — Ukrainian officials say they were told about a U.S.-drafted proposal that needed concessions but were not involved in making it.
- Ongoing — Ukraine still says it won’t give up any land and wants to be part of any talks.
What Happens Next: Possible Outcomes
Scenario 1: Ukraine agrees (with conditions)
Kyiv might agree to some terms, but only after getting strong guarantees from the U.S., NATO, or the EU. This could cause a frozen conflict or a long-term ceasefire, but it would make Ukraine’s military weaker.
Scenario 2: Ukraine Says No, War Goes On
Ukraine may turn down the proposal completely because it would violate its sovereignty, which would lead to more fighting and probably make things worse.
Scenario 3: New talks with more people involved
A wider negotiation that includes Ukraine, the U.S., Russia, the EU, and regional players could lead to a more fair and enforceable deal, but these talks would be very hard.
Expert Commentary and Contextual Insight
Several experts say that the proposal looks more like Russia’s long-standing demands than a neutral peace plan. Defense experts say that cutting Ukraine’s military down to 400,000 people would make it impossible for the country to defend itself in the event of another war.
At the same time, Ukraine’s constitution says that it will restore full territorial integrity. Any change would be very unpopular and politically dangerous.
Why Some Critics Think This Proposal Is Good for Russia
- Russia gets recognition of its control over territory without having to pull out troops.
- Ukraine’s power decreases as its military strength decreases.
- Security guarantees are still unclear and depend on outside political will.
- Instead of being a strong partner, Ukraine could become a weak security buffer for Europe.
Why Supporters Might Say It’s Practical
- The war’s long-term cost could make compromise the only way to end it.
- Negotiations could lower the chances of escalation or nuclear war.
- A deal backed by the U.S. could open the door to large-scale reconstruction help.
- The tide of battle may no longer be in Ukraine’s favor, making concessions necessary.
What this means for India and South Asia
The proposal is mostly about Europe, but it has effects all over the world:
- The territorial concessions made in modern conflicts may affect how future international negotiations go.
- India, which has good ties with both the U.S. and Russia, will keep a close eye on changes in the world order.
- Less tension in Europe could ease global economic pressures, including energy markets that have an effect on South Asia.
Final Thoughts
If this new peace framework is correct, it will be one of the most important diplomatic events of the war. The main question is both simple and deep: Will Ukraine be able to make its own peace?
This isn’t just a deal about land or troops. It tests international norms, the credibility of alliances, and the basic idea that countries should be able to decide their own futures.
In the next few weeks, we may find out if Kyiv accepts the proposal, outright rejects it, or pushes for a more open process. No matter what, the world will be paying close attention.
