The U.S. and Russia have reportedly drafted a draft peace plan that would require Ukraine to make major concessions, including ceding effective control of the Donbas and limiting certain weapons. Key figures in the effort include U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian adviser Kirill Dmitriev; former President Trump is said to have been briefed. EU leaders and Kyiv insist they must be included in any negotiations, and Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected surrendering territory. The plan faces legal, political and public-opinion hurdles and follows deadly strikes that underscore the war’s civilian toll.
U.S. and Russia Draft Controversial Ukraine Peace Plan; EU and Kyiv Demand Inclusion
The U.S. and Russia have reportedly drafted a draft peace plan that would require Ukraine to make major concessions, including ceding effective control of the Donbas and limiting certain weapons. Key figures in the effort include U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian adviser Kirill Dmitriev; former President Trump is said to have been briefed. EU leaders and Kyiv insist they must be included in any negotiations, and Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected surrendering territory. The plan faces legal, political and public-opinion hurdles and follows deadly strikes that underscore the war’s civilian toll.
07:34 PM, 11/20/2025Conflict
U.S. and Russian envoys have reportedly sketched a draft peace plan intended to end the war in Ukraine that would require significant concessions from Kyiv, including territorial losses and limits on certain weaponry, according to a person familiar with the matter. The proposal — first disclosed to reporters by an unnamed source — has prompted European leaders and Ukrainian officials to insist they must be included in any negotiations.
What the draft would include
According to sources briefed on the contours of the plan, the draft calls for Ukraine to cede control of some areas and to abandon specific categories of weapons. It reportedly envisions rolling back certain U.S. military assistance and would give Russia effective control of the entire Donbas region — the industrial east comprising Donetsk and Luhansk — even though parts of that territory remain under Ukrainian control.
Who’s behind the proposal
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has been working quietly on the outline for roughly a month, seeking input from both Ukrainian and Russian actors on terms that might be mutually acceptable, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Kirill Dmitriev, an adviser close to the Russian president, is said to have been a central figure on the Russian side. The source also said former President Donald Trump has been briefed and supports the effort.
Responses and objections
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly ruled out surrendering territory, and any deal requiring Kyiv to cede land would face not only public opposition but also legal obstacles under Ukraine’s constitution. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and other EU ministers have demanded to be consulted before any settlement is finalized.
“For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board,” Kaja Kallas said as EU foreign ministers met in Brussels.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the idea of formal consultations with the United States, saying there are "contacts" but not processes that could be called consultations. Meanwhile, a White House deputy emphasized the administration’s stated desire for a settlement that would bring peace to Europe and end civilian suffering.
Political and legal hurdles
Beyond public and constitutional resistance in Ukraine, European leaders have expressed alarm at any effort that would sideline Kyiv or EU governments in negotiations. Diplomats note that Russia’s continued bombardment of civilian infrastructure — highlighted by a recent strike in the western city of Ternopil that officials say killed 26 people and wounded 93 — undermines claims of sincere interest in a negotiated peace.
Why Europe matters
With Washington having halted direct military aid to Kyiv under the current administration, European countries have been purchasing weapons for Ukraine and filling gaps in support. That role gives the EU additional leverage and a clear stake in any settlement, a point underscored by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and other European officials who say they expect to be consulted.
Next steps
The reported draft remains subject to change. U.S. officials say they are developing and evaluating possible ideas for a lasting settlement, but diplomatic efforts so far this year have not produced a ceasefire or a formal agreement. High-level visits to Kyiv and ongoing international discussions are likely to continue as all sides weigh political, legal and humanitarian implications.
Reporting: Madhani.