Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received a U.S. draft plan intended to restart diplomacy and move toward a dignified end to the war. Media reports link a separate 28-point proposal to envoy Steve Witkoff and a Russian adviser; those reports say it would ask Ukraine to cede territory and reduce certain forces, though it is unclear if this is the same draft Kyiv received. Kyiv insists any deal cannot reward aggression, European leaders say they must be involved, and U.S. sanctions on Russian energy are already denting Moscow's revenues as fighting continues on the ground.
Zelenskyy Receives U.S. Draft Plan to Restart Diplomacy — Kyiv to Review Controversial Proposals
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received a U.S. draft plan intended to restart diplomacy and move toward a dignified end to the war. Media reports link a separate 28-point proposal to envoy Steve Witkoff and a Russian adviser; those reports say it would ask Ukraine to cede territory and reduce certain forces, though it is unclear if this is the same draft Kyiv received. Kyiv insists any deal cannot reward aggression, European leaders say they must be involved, and U.S. sanctions on Russian energy are already denting Moscow's revenues as fighting continues on the ground.
11:29 AM, 11/21/2025Conflict
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially received a draft proposal from the United States that Washington says could help restart diplomacy and bring the war toward a dignified end, his office confirmed on Thursday.
What Kyiv says: In an official statement, Kyiv said Zelenskyy "officially received a draft plan from the American side, which, according to the American side, could activate diplomacy," and that both sides agreed to work through the plan's points with the aim of achieving a dignified end to the conflict.
Contents and controversies: Media reporting describes a 28-point proposal linked to envoy Steve Witkoff and a Russian adviser that would, according to those reports, ask Ukraine to cede territory, relinquish certain weapons and reduce some elements of its armed forces. It remains unclear whether the draft Zelenskyy received is identical to that 28-point framework. Kyiv has reiterated that while the war must end, "there can be no reward for waging war," underscoring Ukraine's insistence on protecting its sovereignty and core security needs.
Diplomatic outreach and consultations: Sources say the draft was prepared after consultations between the U.S. envoy and Russian interlocutors, and that some Ukrainian officials were briefed verbally. U.S. officials state the proposal drew input from both sides, though the extent of Ukrainian involvement has not been fully detailed. A senior Ukrainian official reportedly received a verbal briefing in Miami, and U.S. spokespeople said meetings with Ukrainian representatives took place in recent days.
European position: A leading EU official said she was not aware of European involvement in drafting the proposal and stressed that any workable plan must have the support of both Ukrainians and Europeans.
U.S. politics and endorsements: Some U.S. figures have signaled support for exploring the proposal. U.S. officials emphasize that ending a complex, deadly conflict will require difficult concessions from both sides and a wide exchange of realistic ideas, while also seeking strong security guarantees for Ukraine from Western partners.
Sanctions and military context: Separately, recent U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and gas have begun to affect Moscow's energy revenues, according to a U.S. Treasury analysis, with additional measures scheduled to take effect. At the same time, fighting continues across Ukraine: a recent missile strike on a residential building in the western city of Ternopil killed dozens, including children, and rescuers continued search efforts. The attack occurred as a U.S. delegation, including senior defense officials, visited Kyiv; Washington has also approved additional funds to upgrade Ukraine's air-defense capabilities.
"For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board," an EU official said, reflecting broad international insistence that Kyiv and its partners must endorse any final agreement.
What comes next: Kyiv and Washington said they will continue to review and refine the draft's points. Any negotiated settlement would need to balance the immediate goal of stopping fighting with long-term security guarantees, reconstruction needs and legal protections for Ukrainian sovereignty.