Key Takeaways:
- Diplomatic Push: The US, led by President Donald Trump, is intensifying efforts to end the nearly four-year-old Russia-Ukraine war, with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff heading to Moscow and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll meeting Ukrainian officials.
- Controversial Original Plan: Trump’s initial 28-point proposal faced strong backlash from Ukraine and European allies for favoring Russia, particularly by proposing Kyiv cede annexed territories (Crimea, Donbas, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia) and constitutionally abandon NATO membership.
- Revised 19-Point Framework: After intensive talks in Geneva between US and Ukrainian delegations, a revamped 19-point plan has emerged, which Ukraine says is “positive” and addresses major concerns.
- Key Changes: The new draft reportedly removes the proposed 600,000-member cap on Ukraine’s military and rewrites the blanket amnesty proposal for potential war crimes.
- Russia’s Stance: Moscow, which was not involved in the revision talks, is reportedly “unhappy” with the changes. Key sticking points remain territorial concessions and Ukraine’s future with NATO.
Washington Ramps Up Peace Diplomacy
United States President Donald Trump is accelerating diplomatic efforts to secure an end to the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to visit Moscow next week, while Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll recently engaged with Ukrainian officials.
The original 28-point US peace plan, developed by Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner with limited Ukrainian input, sparked fierce criticism. European leaders and Kyiv officials rejected the deal, calling it a capitulation to Russian demands, specifically due to its requirement for Ukraine to cede large territories (including Crimea and the Donbas region) and guarantee it would never join the NATO defence alliance.
Following this pushback, President Trump stated that the US was “making progress” on a revised plan, noting that Kyiv was now “happy.”
What We Know About the New 19-Point Plan
A thoroughly revamped 19-point peace plan followed two days of closed-door negotiations in Geneva between US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Witkoff, and a Ukrainian delegation led by Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak.
While officials have not disclosed the full text, statements from Ukrainian negotiators detail significant amendments:
- Military Cap Removed: Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya confirmed that the proposed 600,000-member limit on Ukraine’s military is “no longer on the table.”
- Amnesty Rewritten: Proposals for blanket amnesty for potential war crimes were rewritten to better address the grievances of war victims.
- NATO/Territory Deferred: The most contentious issues—territorial concessions and Ukraine’s future NATO membership—were reportedly left to be decided directly by Presidents Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Restrictions Eased: An unnamed White House official indicated that restrictions on the positioning of NATO troops in Ukraine were also changed.
Kyslytsya stressed that “very few things are left from the original version,” suggesting a significant shift toward Ukraine’s position.
The Russia Factor: Will Moscow Accept the Revisions?
A major challenge remains: Russia was not at the table for the revision talks. As US Secretary of State Rubio acknowledged, “Obviously, the Russians get a vote here too.”
The Kremlin’s initial reaction, as reported from Moscow, suggests the Russian side is “not happy” with revisions implying concessions for Russia. Moscow continues to insist on its maximalist goals, including full control over the five Ukrainian provinces it has unilaterally annexed.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that the peace plan must reflect the “spirit and letter” of earlier, unsuccessful talks between Trump and Putin.
Next Steps: Trump and Zelenskyy Must Meet
The focus now shifts to finalizing the deal between Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy, who must approve the “sensitive points.” Washington must then secure Moscow’s agreement on the revised draft.
President Trump confirmed his intent to send Witkoff to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, stating he would only meet with Putin and Zelenskyy when the final deal is complete or in its final stages.
