LONDON: The United States has indicated to President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine may need to accept a US-drafted framework to end the war with Russia, which could involve ceding territory and reducing its armed forces. The proposals, shared with Kyiv without Ukraine’s participation in their preparation, are part of ongoing discussions between Washington and Moscow.
The plan comes as Ukraine faces ongoing Russian territorial advances in the east and domestic challenges, including a corruption scandal that led parliament to dismiss the energy and justice ministers on Wednesday. While the White House declined to comment, a Ukrainian official confirmed that Kyiv had received signals about the proposed framework.
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President Zelensky met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday and is scheduled to meet US Army officials in Kyiv on Thursday. News of the US proposals triggered the largest rise in Ukrainian government bond prices in months, reflecting market optimism for potential progress toward ending the nearly four-year-old conflict.
Despite these efforts, Moscow has shown no indication of softening its terms, which include Kyiv renouncing NATO ambitions and withdrawing troops from four Russian-claimed provinces. Russian forces currently control about 19 percent of Ukrainian territory and continue frequent attacks on energy infrastructure as winter approaches.
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According to Axios, the US plan envisions Ukraine granting Moscow partial control of eastern territory it does not currently occupy in exchange for a US security guarantee for Kyiv and European allies. European diplomats have expressed concern that the proposals could pressure Ukraine unfairly, noting that suggestions like cutting the Ukrainian army may align more with Russian demands than realistic solutions. A US delegation, led by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, will meet Zelensky to discuss the matter further.