Zelensky's Peace Plan: A Risky Gamble 🚀🔥

World News

Seeking an end to the war with Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to engage in “honest work” with the United States, and following the delivery of a draft peace plan – which includes significant concessions from Ukraine – Kyiv is willing to discuss its provisions. The plan, outlined in a draft circulated by the Financial Times and Axios, proposes that Ukraine would cede control of areas within the Donbas region and reduce its military size to 600,000 personnel, while also foregoing NATO membership and receiving “reliable security guarantees,” though the specifics remain unclear. As part of this proposal, Russia would be welcomed back into the global economy, potentially including the lifting of sanctions and a return to the G8. The US has been quietly working on this proposal for about a month, engaging with both Ukraine and Russia to identify commitments that could lead to a lasting peace. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the plan is seen as “good for both Russia and Ukraine,” and that US President Donald Trump “supports” it. A senior US official revealed that the plan originated from discussions with a key member of Zelensky’s administration, Rustem Umerov, who subsequently presented it to the President. Zelensky expressed his intention to speak with President Trump in the coming days and stated that his team would work with the US to ensure the plan truly delivers a “just end” to the war. Following a meeting in Kyiv involving senior US military officials, Zelensky underscored the need for a “worthy peace” that respects the “dignity of the Ukrainian people.” However, a significant divide remains between the two sides as the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaches. Ukraine continues to effectively target Russian military assets and energy sites with long-range drones, while Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian targets haven’t stopped; just late Thursday, a strike on Zaporizhzhia resulted in at least five deaths, according to the regional governor. Shortly after, Russia’s defense ministry reported intercepting and destroying 33 Ukrainian drones across several Russian regions. The situation remains particularly grim following a devastating attack earlier this week, where at least 26 people died in a missile and drone assault on residential buildings in Ternopil, and 17 people were still unaccounted for at the scene, prompting condolences from Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, who acknowledged the importance of European support. Moscow has downplayed the plan, characterizing any contact with the US as “contacts” rather than a formal consultation, and warning that no “process that could be called ‘consultations’” has taken place.