CRBC News
Culture
Society
Security
Health
Conflict
Science
Technology
Politics
Environment
Lifestyle
Economy

Senators: Rubio Described Leaked 28‑Point Ukraine Plan as a Russian 'Wish List,' Not a White House Proposal

Senators at the Halifax International Security Forum said Sen. Marco Rubio described the leaked 28‑point peace proposal as a Russian "wish list," not an official White House plan. Sen. Mike Rounds said the document was received by intermediaries and later leaked; Sen. Angus King echoed that it does not reflect administration policy. Earlier accounts said the draft would require major Ukrainian concessions and reductions to its armed forces, and President Trump said he hopes for peace while suggesting Zelensky could refuse the deal.

10:48 AM, 11/23/2025Politics
Senators: Rubio Described Leaked 28‑Point Ukraine Plan as a Russian 'Wish List,' Not a White House Proposal

Several U.S. senators attending the Halifax International Security Forum said Sen. Marco Rubio told them the widely reported 28‑point proposal to end the Russia–Ukraine war is not an official White House peace plan but rather a Russian "wish list" that was leaked to the press.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R‑N.D.) told reporters that Rubio called him and other lawmakers to clarify their role after receiving the document. Rounds said Rubio emphasized that "we are the recipients of a proposal that was delivered to one of our representatives. It is not our recommendation, it is not our peace plan."

"It is a proposal that was received. And as an intermediary, we have made arrangements to share it. And we did not release it. It was leaked. It was not released by our members or our representatives… This is an opportunity to receive it and that it has been utilized and delivered to the Ukrainians, and that they will have an opportunity to respond. And in doing so, you now have one side being presented and the opportunity for the other side to respond." — Sen. Mike Rounds

Sen. Angus King (I‑Maine) likewise described the draft as "not the administration's position — it is essentially the wish list of the Russians," according to senators who heard Rubio's explanation.

Rubio had not publicly posted about these exchanges on X or elsewhere as of Saturday evening, the senators said.

Earlier reports described a draft plan that would require Ukraine to sharply reduce the size of its armed forces and to cede significant territory to Russia, including areas in Donetsk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signaled he was not enthusiastic about the terms described in those accounts.

When asked by reporters on Saturday whether he had pressed Zelensky to accept a deal by Thanksgiving, President Donald Trump did not dispute the reports and said the Ukrainian leader, if he declines, can "fight his little heart out." Asked whether the offer was final, the president replied, "No, we'd like to get to peace."

Senators at Halifax described the document as one side's proposal that intermediaries shared with Ukrainian officials and that later leaked to the press. They stressed that Ukraine would have an opportunity to review and respond to the proposal, and that the draft as reported does not represent an endorsed or finalized administration position.

Similar Articles

Trending