The Kremlin has stated that it has yet to receive anything official regarding the United States' peace plan for Ukraine, after Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky indicated readiness to engage with the new proposals put forth by the Trump administration.
Details of the widely leaked US plan include measures that Ukraine had previously dismissed, such as ceding control of territories in the eastern Donetsk region and reducing its army's size. The plan appears to favor Moscow significantly, prompting a cautious response from Zelensky's office.
As violence continues in Ukraine, six people were killed overnight in Russian strikes, including five in the Zaporizhzhia region. The draft plan gained attention amid claims from Russia of minor territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, coupled with a domestic crisis for Zelensky involving allegations of corruption among top officials.
The White House has rejected claims that Ukraine was sidelined during the drafting process. An unnamed US official stated that the plan was prepared shortly after meetings with high-level Ukrainian officials, including Rustem Umerov, who made adjustments before discussing it with Zelensky.
Umerov stated he had not provided formal assessments of the plan, emphasizing that Ukraine was still evaluating proposals from its partners. Despite the contentious nature of the plan, Zelensky has been careful not to openly criticize it, acknowledging the efforts of the US in promoting European security.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, Russia has not officially received the plan, though they have noted the emergence of new elements. He reiterated Russia's openness to peace talks but underscored that any agreement must address the conflict's root causes, which Moscow describes in ways Ukraine sees as surrender demands.
Frustration from Trump towards Russia has been apparent, culminating in fresh sanctions on major Russian oil producers recently. As negotiations unfold, the complexity of balancing international diplomacy and national security concerns remains a significant challenge.
Amidst speculation about the peace plan's implications, both Ukrainian and European leaders have called for a comprehensive resolution that guarantees Ukraine's territorial integrity and prevents further aggression from Russia.
