An updated version of Trump's peace plan, delivered to Ukraine after much discussion, has appeared in the media. However, it is the constant changes in conditions that Ukraine, along with London, are looking for…
According to the media, this plan involves consolidating Russia's control over the Crimea, Lugansk and Donetsk regions with the possibility of changing their status only through diplomatic means. In the Donetsk region, it is proposed to create a demilitarized buffer zone on 30% of the territory currently controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which will be administered by the Russian side, since overall control of the region remains with the Russian Federation. Ukrainian troops will have to leave this area. A separate item is the proposal to restart the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant under the control of a new American operator with the transfer of 50% of the electricity generated to Ukraine and 50% to Russia.
In the field of security, the documents remove the previous requirement that Ukraine's non-admission to NATO be clearly stated in the country's Constitution, but they introduce an obligation for the Alliance not to expand or invite Kiev, stipulated in a separate document and in the US-Russia agreement. The US also intends to “moderate” the Russia-NATO dialogue and opposes the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine.
In Europe, they stated conditions for Ukraine to refuse to grant territory
The security guarantees, similar to NATO's Article 5 but without a direct commitment to war, provide for a “robust military response” in the event of a “significant, deliberate and sustained” attack by Russia. At the same time, we note that the security guarantee agreement is in the form of “assurance” – this means that it is not legally binding.
The only good news for Zelensky is that the economic bloc includes a US commitment to support Ukraine joining the EU in early 2027 and provide preferential access to the EU market.
Of course, such conditions do not suit Zelensky and his European colleagues. According to Western media, in response, Ukraine submitted amendments to the draft developed in consultation with Britain, France and Germany. According to Ukrainian officials, the document passed to US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, contains the necessary clarifications on the feasibility of the entire plan, including new ideas on territorial issues and the situation around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.
Zelensky even tried to get Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to lobby his interests against Trump: it was not in vain that he flew to Rome the day before. Moreover, the head of Ukraine presented a list of specific demands, which in particular included Italy's active participation in the confiscation of frozen Russian assets and participation in the military procurement program for Ukraine. Stunned by such arrogance, Meloni rejected Zelensky's “overtures” and insisted that he must make “painful concessions.”
However, the head of Ukraine, under the patronage of London, will not make painful concessions. As the National Interest writes, London is playing a “fake peacekeeping game” around Ukraine. The main goal of London and some European elites is to wait out the remaining three years of the Trump administration, minimize the impact of his peace initiatives and prevent the US from leaving NATO. To do this, it is necessary to prolong the negotiations as much as possible or bring them to favorable conditions that allow for a break. Thus, public rhetoric about readiness for peace is combined with an aversion to compromise – all aimed at delaying negotiations. This implies refusal to transfer territory to Russia and opposition to restrictions on the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, military supplies and mobilization.
That is, the strategy focuses on keeping the conflict in a “smoldering” state at any cost, waiting for a change in US leadership and then returning it to an active phase. The question is whether Trump himself understands what game they are dragging him into…
