The U.S. has put forward a peace proposal, calling it Trump’s “final offer.” The proposal demands major concessions from Ukraine. It includes U.S. recognition of Crimea as part of Russia and acknowledges Russia’s control over much of eastern Ukraine. Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, must decide whether to accept Trump’s final proposal or reject this deal. He is expected to respond to the proposal on Wednesday. The U.S. made it clear that if the deal is not accepted soon, they are ready to walk away. The proposal asks Ukraine to give up key territories, which Zelensky had previously ruled out.
What Russia Gains Under Trump’s Proposal
Russia stands to gain several significant benefits from Trump’s final proposal. First, the U.S. would recognize Russian control of Crimea “de jure.” This is a major shift in U.S. policy. It would also provide Russia with “de facto” recognition of its control over much of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. Russia would also secure a promise that Ukraine will not join NATO. However, the proposal allows for Ukraine to join the European Union. Another important aspect of the deal is the lifting of sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014. The proposal also promises increased economic cooperation between the U.S. and Russia, especially in energy and industry.
What Ukraine Receives from the Deal
While the deal offers significant benefits for Russia, the benefits for Ukraine are less clear. The proposal includes a security guarantee from a group of European countries. This group may also include non-European countries. However, the document is vague about how this security arrangement would work. It also does not mention any U.S. involvement. Another part of Trump’s final proposal includes the return of a small part of Kharkiv oblast, which Russia has occupied. The proposal also ensures that Ukraine would have unimpeded access to the Dnieper River, which runs along the front line in southern Ukraine. Finally, Ukraine would receive compensation and rebuilding assistance, though the document does not explain where the funding will come from.
Additional Details of the Proposal
The peace plan contains a few more important points. One of the key elements is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Trump’s final proposal would keep the plant as part of Ukrainian territory, but it would be operated by the U.S. The electricity generated by the plant would be shared between Ukraine and Russia. Another part of the plan is a minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine. Trump has announced that the deal will be signed soon. These additional elements of Trump’s final proposal further complicate the situation. It’s unclear how these issues would be managed.
Putin’s Response and Peace Talks
The proposal was created after Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They met for over four hours to discuss the framework. After Trump’s final proposal was presented, Putin offered to pause Russia’s invasion along current front lines. This was the strongest peace gesture Putin has made so far. However, European officials remain doubtful about his commitment to peace. Many are skeptical that he will follow through on any agreement. The next few days will be crucial in determining if peace is possible or if the war will continue.
What’s Next for the Peace Talks?
Witkoff is set to meet with Putin again later this week. This will be his fourth meeting with the Russian leader. However, Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend talks in London on Wednesday. These talks involve officials from the U.S., Ukraine, France, Germany, and the U.K. Instead, Ukraine’s envoy, Keith Kellogg, will lead the U.S. delegation. Trump’s final proposal will likely be part of the discussions. However, a U.S. official has indicated that Ukraine may want to focus on a 30-day ceasefire instead of the full peace plan. This suggests that Ukraine might not be ready to accept the proposal in its current form.
U.S. Officials’ Views on the Negotiations
U.S. officials continue to work toward a peace deal. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke about the ongoing negotiations. She said, “Negotiations continue and hopefully we are in the right direction.” The U.S. is hopeful that progress can be made. However, the situation remains tense. Trump’s final proposal places Ukraine in a difficult position. It requires them to make major sacrifices for peace, which many in Ukraine are not willing to accept. The upcoming talks will be crucial in determining the future of the war. The peace process is still unfolding, and it remains to be seen whether any real progress can be made.
