- A U.S.-proposed peace plan would require Ukraine to surrender occupied territories, including Donbas and Crimea, and officially recognize them as Russian. Military forces would be reduced from over 1 million to 400,000 troops, with restrictions on long-range weapons. Russian language would gain official status, and the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church would be reinstated.
- The deal includes a halt to U.S. arms shipments if Ukraine accepts the terms. Ukrainian officials fear this amounts to capitulation and loss of sovereignty.
- The Kremlin publicly dismissed the proposal as "nothing new," but Russian negotiators acknowledged their position is "being heard." Moscow remains cautious, urging reliance on official statements rather than media reports.
- Russian missile strikes continue, killing civilians (including children) in cities like Ternopil. Ukrainian Foreign Minister condemned the attacks, stating they expose Russia's hollow "peace plans."
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's diplomatic efforts in Turkey failed to secure U.S.-Russia negotiations. Ukraine faces dwindling Western aid, with Germany halting equipment shipments and US ammunition reserves depleted. Analysts compare Ukraine's situation to the Confederacy in 1865—fighting a losing battle with shrinking resources.
A controversial United States-proposed peace plan would require Ukraine to surrender territory currently under Russian occupation, drastically reduce its military and grant official status to the Russian language and Orthodox Church, according to multiple reports.
The framework, allegedly drafted in coordination with Moscow, has been met with skepticism in Kyiv, where officials fear it amounts to capitulation.
The 28-point proposal, delivered to Ukrainian officials this week by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, reportedly includes:
- Territorial concessions, including relinquishing remaining Ukrainian-held parts of Donbas and recognizing Crimea as Russian.
- Military downsizing, reducing Ukraine's armed forces from over one million to 400,000 troops and abandoning long-range weaponry.
- Language and religious concessions, recognizing Russian as an official state language and restoring the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's (UOC) official status—a move reversing Kyiv's crackdown on the Moscow-linked institution.
- Rollback of U.S. military aid, signaling an end to American weapons shipments if the deal is accepted.
According to the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, the UOC is an autocephalous (self-governing) Eastern Orthodox Church in Ukraine, which is part of the broader global communion of Orthodox churches. The UOC plays a significant role in Ukrainian society, culture and politics. It has been a symbol of Ukrainian identity and independence, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A Ukrainian government source told AFP that the terms align with Russia's "maximalist demands" and would effectively strip Ukraine of sovereignty. "An important nuance is that we don't understand whether this is really Trump's story or his entourage's," the source said, questioning Washington's motivations.
Russia's response: Silence and skepticism
While Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed reports of a new proposal, stating there was "nothing new" beyond prior discussions, Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev told Axios that Moscow feels its position is "really being heard."
Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, urged caution, saying, "Such reports should be assessed based on official communication rather than media narratives."
The proposal comes as Russian missile strikes continue to devastate Ukrainian cities. In Ternopil, western Ukraine, a pre-dawn attack killed 26 people, including three children, and wounded 92 others.
"I went to work, and my son stayed at home," said Oksana, a grieving mother searching for her 20-year-old son Bohdan in the rubble. "I called him from the minibus and said, 'Bohdan, get dressed and come out.' He said: 'Mum, don't worry, everything will be fine.' But it was too late. That's it."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga condemned the attack, stating, "This is how Russia's 'peace plans' look in reality."
Zelensky's diplomatic push falls short
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's surprise visit to Turkey, intended to re-engage U.S. diplomacy, failed when Witkoff did not attend as expected. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged both sides to return to Istanbul for talks, but no Russian officials participated.
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's need for continued U.S. support, writing on Telegram: "The main thing for stopping the bloodshed and achieving lasting peace is that we work in coordination with all our partners and that American leadership remains effective, strong."
With Russian forces advancing slowly but steadily, Ukraine faces dwindling Western aid. Germany has halted equipment shipments, and the U.S. has reportedly exhausted much of its ammunition reserves. Analysts compare Ukraine's situation to the Confederacy in 1865—desperate offensives with dwindling resources.
A White House official told Politico that a deal could be reached "as soon as this week"—but Ukrainian officials remain skeptical.
The proposed framework underscores Washington's shifting priorities, pressuring Kyiv to accept painful concessions. Yet with Russian attacks intensifying and Ukraine’s military stretched thin, the alternative—continued fighting—appears equally grim.
As winter looms and energy infrastructure crumbles, the war's endgame may hinge on whether Zelensky can negotiate better terms—or if the U.S. and Russia impose a settlement over Ukraine's objections.
"The war must end; there is no alternative to peace," Zelensky said in Ankara. But at what cost?
Watch the video below about President Donald Trump unveiling his Russia-Ukraine peace plan.
This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com.
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