The American administration is awaiting an official response from Ukraine on a controversial peace framework, which includes the recognition by the US of Crimea as Russian territory and the acceptance of Moscow’s de facto control over the regions occupied after the 2022 invasion.
Vice President JD Vance said that the US has made a „very explicit proposal” to Russia and Ukraine towards a peace deal and that it is time for them to say yes, otherwise the US will give up on mediating, as reported by Sky News.
"The current front lines, or somewhere near them, are where I think the new frontiers of the conflict will ultimately be drawn," said the American vice president, after completing a tour of the Taj Mahal.
He added that this would mean that Ukraine and Russia should each give up the territories they currently control, as reported by Le Monde.
"There will have to be some territorial exchanges," Vance said, adding that although the final border may not exactly match the current front lines, for the fighting to stop, both parties must "lay down their arms, freeze the situation, and focus on building a better Russia and a better Ukraine."
"We are committed to extraordinary diplomatic actions and hard work," the American vice president further stated.
Why It Matters
- The document, presented to Ukrainian officials last week in Paris, is described as the "final offer" from President Trump, according to sources cited by Axios.
- The White House had already warned that it is prepared to "completely walk away" from negotiations if an agreement is not reached soon.
What Trump's Proposal Entails
This would require major concessions from President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had previously ruled out any agreement that would legitimize Russia's occupation of Crimea or other eastern territories.
Russia's Reaction
President Vladimir Putin is reportedly willing to freeze the current front line, but had previously rejected ideas like a European peacekeeping force on Ukrainian territory.
What Russia Gains
- Official recognition ("de jure") of Crimea as Russian territory.
- De facto recognition of Russian occupation in the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia.
- Assurance that Ukraine will not join NATO (with the mention that it may join the EU).
- Lifting of sanctions imposed since 2014.
- Expanded economic cooperation with the US, especially in energy and industrial sectors.
What Ukraine Gains
- Security guarantees from an ad-hoc group of European countries and possibly non-European states – with no clear details on how these forces would operate.
- Recovery of a small part of the Kharkiv region.
- Freedom of navigation on the Dnieper River, which crosses the front line.
- Compensation and aid for reconstruction, without specifying the funding source.
Other Elements of the Plan
- The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant would remain under Ukrainian sovereignty but be administered by the US, supplying energy to both countries.
- The document mentions a US-Ukraine agreement on strategic minerals, which Trump announced would be signed on Thursday.
Behind the Scenes
- The plan was formulated after a over four-hour meeting between Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Vladimir Putin.
- According to Financial Times, after presenting the plan, Putin offered to freeze the invasion at the current front line as a gesture of goodwill.
What's Next
- Witkoff will travel to Moscow again this week for a fourth meeting with Putin.
- Although he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were initially expected to participate in Wednesday's negotiations in London with officials from Ukraine, France, Germany, the UK, and the US, both have canceled their participation.
- The American delegation will be led by Keith Kellogg, special envoy for Ukraine.
The issue is that high-ranking diplomats from the UK, US, France, Germany, and Ukraine have postponed plans to meet in London on Wednesday for discussions.
- Stalemate in London. Diplomats step back. Putin demands Crimea from Trump, but Kiev rejects the plan
Neither British Foreign Secretary David Lammy nor US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the summit as previously planned, as reported by Sky News.
However, there will still be discussions between senior officials from the five states, and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister is expected to meet with David Lammy.
Yet, the downgrading of the level at which the negotiations are taking place contrasts with the increasing pressure exerted by Donald Trump and his team for a ceasefire agreement.