Draft U.S.-Russia Peace Framework for Ukraine Would Require Major Concessions from Kyiv

The United States and Russia have reportedly drafted a framework intended to halt the fighting in Ukraine, but the proposal would demand significant concessions from Kyiv.

Details remain limited, but according to people familiar with the matter the draft calls for Ukraine to cede territory and to limit or abandon certain types of weaponry that have been central to its defense. The plan would also include a rollback of some U.S. military assistance and an agreement to halt Russian attacks as part of a broader settlement.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has been quietly developing the proposal for about a month, soliciting input from both Ukrainian and Russian representatives on terms that might be acceptable to each side, a senior U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity said. The concept remains a draft and could be revised as discussions continue.

"President Trump has been clear since day one that he wants the war between Russia and Ukraine to end, and he has grown frustrated with both sides for their refusal to commit to a peace agreement," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, adding that the administration has been working on a detailed plan to stop the killing and create lasting peace.

According to sources briefed on the plan's contours, one central element would be Russia's assumption of control over the entire eastern Donbas region — a stated objective President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly cited. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently rejected ceding territory, and his office has said Kyiv will not accept conditions that threaten Ukraine's sovereignty.

U.S. officials say any durable agreement would require concessions from both sides. Senator Marco Rubio, speaking about the process of developing ideas for ending the war, said officials will "continue to develop a list of potential ideas" and stressed that a sustainable peace will likely require difficult compromises by all parties involved.

"Ending a complex and deadly war such as the one in Ukraine requires an extensive exchange of serious and realistic ideas," Rubio wrote on social media, adding that both sides must accept necessary but difficult concessions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged contacts with Washington but said there are "no consultations per se currently underway" regarding a formal U.S.-Russia negotiation. He described the exchanges as contacts rather than structured consultations.

The draft plan has been briefed to senior U.S. policymakers, and supporters say it represents an effort to find a pragmatic path to reduce violence and establish a lasting settlement. Critics warn that forcing Kyiv to cede land or disarm could undermine Ukraine's security and sovereignty and would face fierce domestic and international opposition.

The proposal remains at an early stage. Any progress toward implementation would require direct agreement from Kyiv and Moscow and likely further diplomacy involving other international stakeholders.