U.S. Lawmakers Say Reported 28‑Point Peace Plan Would Reward Russia and Weaken Ukraine

Several U.S. lawmakers on Saturday criticized a reported 28-point peace proposal attributed to the Trump administration, saying the framework appears to favor Moscow and would undermine Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.

According to a version of the draft made public by a Ukrainian opposition politician and confirmed by a U.S. official, the proposal would require Ukraine to cede control of its eastern Donbas region and Crimea and to renounce any bid to join NATO. The draft reportedly incorporates input from both Russian and Ukrainian sources, and diplomatic discussions about the plan are ongoing. President Trump suggested a Thanksgiving Day deadline for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to respond.

U.S. Lawmakers React

Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Thom Tillis, issued a joint statement expressing "significant concerns over the details of the reported peace plan." They warned that offering repeated concessions to President Putin would "fatally degrade Ukraine's ability to defend itself."

"For over 10 years, Russia has illegally occupied Ukrainian territory and for almost 4 years, Ukraine has admirably defended itself against Russia's attempts to fully occupy Ukraine. No one wants a just and lasting peace more than the Ukrainian people," the committee members wrote.

"History teaches us that Putin only understands strength and will not abide by any agreement unless it is backed by force. We must consult closely with our Ukrainian and NATO partners on the path forward. We should put real pressure on Russia to come to the negotiating table," they added.

Co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus also condemned the reported proposal, saying it "appears to favor the interest of the aggressor over the sovereignty and security of a democratic Ukraine." The caucus argued the framework "does not offer a genuine path to lasting peace, but instead demands the surrender and capitulation of Ukraine to Russian aggression."

Diplomatic Developments and Next Steps

The outline reportedly emerged after recent U.S. meetings with representatives of both Russia and Ukraine. A U.S. envoy met with a senior adviser to President Putin in late October as part of developing the proposal. Ukrainian envoys are scheduled to meet a U.S. delegation in Geneva to discuss the plan; the American team is expected to include Dan Driscoll, Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, while multiple Ukrainian officials — including members of President Zelenskyy’s staff — are due to participate.

European officials said they were not involved in drafting the proposal, and leaders at the G20 summit indicated the plan needs additional work before it could be broadly considered.

Ukrainian Response

On the day lawmakers issued their critique, Ukraine observed the anniversary of the 1930s famine inflicted under Soviet leader Josef Stalin, which led to millions of deaths. In a video address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s determination to resist foreign domination.

"We defended, defend and will always defend Ukraine. Because only here is our home. And in our home, Russia will definitely not be the master," Zelenskyy said.

As discussions continue, U.S. and allied officials face pressure to balance efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict with commitments to Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and capacity for self-defense.