Kathrine Frich
Allies have repeatedly stressed that no peace arrangement can be shaped over Ukraine’s head.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has left the country fighting for its survival, and any discussion about ending the war has long centered on the principle that Kyiv must be directly involved.
This week, that principle is tested as Trump has release his plan for peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Competing narratives
According to digi24, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump is supporting work on a peace proposal.
She firmly denied, however, that negotiations were held exclusively with Russia or that the U.S. intended to present Kyiv with a prearranged deal.
Her comments followed an Axios report revealing the existence of a 28-point draft plan. Some European politicians and media outlets suggested the initiative had emerged from U.S.–Russian conversations alone, raising concerns that Ukraine was being sidelined.
Leavitt pushed back against those claims, saying:
“Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have discussed it with both sides, Russia and Ukraine, equally.”
She added: “The President supports this plan. It’s a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine, and we believe it’s acceptable to both sides.”
Kyiv responds
Ukraine’s presidency confirmed on Thursday that it received the draft proposal and said President Volodymyr Zelensky is prepared to work “constructively” with Washington.
Axios reported that the plan was shaped partly through talks between Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, an economic adviser to President Vladimir Putin, a detail that frustrated several European backers who said they were not consulted.
Anonymous sources cited by the outlet described provisions that would require Ukraine to relinquish Donbas, recognise Russia’s control of Crimea and other occupied regions, and reduce its armed forces to no more than 400,000 personnel while abandoning long-range weapons.
In exchange, Russia would reportedly withdraw from parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, accept Western security guarantees for Ukraine without NATO membership, and agree to demilitarised zones in territory transferred to Moscow.
High-level visits
A U.S. military delegation led by Secretary Dan Driscoll and Joint Chiefs Chair Randy George arrived in Kyiv on Thursday for meetings with Zelensky, who is under pressure following a corruption scandal involving close associates.
The delegation also spoke with General Oleksandr Syski, who requested greater air-defence support, expanded long-range strike capacity, and assistance to stabilise the front.
Sources: Reuters, AFP, EFE, Agerpres, Digi24
