Trump's peace plan: what does it say, how did Zelensky react, and when might a peace agreement be signed?

Trump's new ‘peace plan’ has become one of the most discussed topics of the week — a document that the US has not officially announced, but whose details are being widely published by Western media, is causing serious concern in Ukraine and Europe. Find out what exactly the US is proposing, how Ukraine is responding, and when Washington expects to receive Ukraine's decision

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Reports of a new peace plan, allegedly developed by the United States and Russia, have caused a stir in Ukraine and on the international stage. Although Washington has not publicly confirmed the existence of the document, Western media are already publishing details of the project, which has allegedly already been presented to Kyiv and the Kremlin. The plan includes 28 points and provides for large-scale concessions on the part of Ukraine — from territorial to military. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirms receiving American proposals, but emphasises that Ukraine only needs a ‘dignified peace.’ We explain what the document is about and what you need to know about the negotiation process.

Trump's plan: details

According to The Telegraph, Axios, Bloomberg and the Financial Times, the draft plan provides for the transfer of control over part of Donbas to Russia on a ‘lease’ basis, the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from unoccupied areas of the region and the creation of a demilitarised zone. Russia may allegedly withdraw some of its forces from the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, but the front line will remain frozen.

The plan also includes lifting sanctions against Russia, ending investigations into war crimes, halving the size of the Ukrainian army (to 300-400 thousand soldiers), Kyiv's renunciation of long-range weapons, and a ban on the deployment of foreign troops.

A separate point concerns language and religion: the Russian language and the Russian Orthodox Church should receive official status in the territories that remain under Russian control.

American sources claim that Ukraine will receive security guarantees from the US and Europe in exchange for fulfilling the above requirements.

Is the plan Ukraine's surrender?

Western analysts call the plan extremely dangerous for Ukraine and Europe. Chatham House research fellow Kir Giles believes that reducing the army and abandoning long-range weapons will effectively leave the country defenceless against another attack.

Marina Miron from King's College London notes that Ukraine will have to reduce its armed forces to approximately 400,000 troops, and recognition of the Russian occupation will ‘freeze’ the conflict on the Kremlin's terms. The plan, she says, is ‘clearly in Russia's favour.’

Experts are confident that Europe and Ukraine will reject the draft in its current form. However, the US may use this as a tool of pressure, claiming that a peaceful option was proposed but rejected.

How Zelensky reacted

The President of Ukraine confirmed that he had received the US proposals and was ready to discuss them ‘honestly and calmly,’ without making any harsh statements.

Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine has wanted peace since the first day of the war, but only peace that guarantees security and prevents Russia from launching a new invasion.

Teams from Ukraine, the US and European partners will jointly finalise the document to take Kyiv's interests into account.

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When could a peace agreement be signed?

According to the Financial Times and Bloomberg:

1. The US wants to speed up negotiations and receive a draft of the agreed document by 27 November, before Thanksgiving. The document must be signed by Zelensky.

2. Washington plans to hand over the document to Russia by early December.

3. The White House sees this period as a ‘window of opportunity’ to launch a political initiative that could influence the course of the war.

At the same time, Kyiv is under pressure: the American side expects active work on the text and proposals that can be adapted for negotiations with the Kremlin. Ukraine is forming its positions and adjustments, trying to preserve its fundamental interests — security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Will the war end in November? (Spoiler — UNLIKELY!)

Even if the US prepares a draft by December, the prospect of its signing remains unclear. Europe is sceptical, Ukraine is not ready for large-scale concessions, and the Kremlin has repeatedly feigned readiness for the negotiation process.

In fact, a new stage of diplomatic pressure and geopolitical games is beginning, with each side seeking to secure its own terms.

At the moment, the only thing that is clear is that peace is only possible if it does not leave Ukraine without protection and the right to a future.

Are you travelling to Ukraine? Remember that the entire country is currently at war, despite the fact that active hostilities are taking place in the east and south of the country! Moreover, there is a continuing risk of air strikes in all regions of Ukraine.

At the same time, Ukraine continues to welcome foreign tourists, and the country's tourism industry has begun to revive somewhat in recent times.

If you are planning to visit Ukraine, we strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy covering military risks.

Reminder! The massive night attack on 19 November was another reminder that even remote regions of Ukraine remain targets for Russian strikes. Despite the high percentage of targets shot down, some of the drones and missiles hit residential buildings and critical infrastructure, causing destruction, fires and new human casualties. Rescuers continue to clear the rubble, evacuate people and identify the dead. Find out what is known about the consequences of the attack.

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