(London/Kyiv/Ankara) Sources revealed that the newly drafted US peace proposal for Russia and Ukraine demands that Ukraine cede territory and reduce its military size by more than half. It is understood that Washington has made it clear to Ukrainian President Zelensky that he must accept the US framework proposal. This is a major setback for Ukraine.
Sources told AFP on Wednesday (November 19) that the US framework proposal outlines three conditions for a ceasefire in Ukraine: recognition that Crimea and other annexed territories are now Russian territory, a reduction of the Ukrainian military size by more than half to 400,000 troops, and the abandonment of all long-range weapons.
Reuters, citing sources, reported that the US has made its position clear to Zelensky, and Ukraine must accept the ceasefire framework proposed by the US.
The latest US proposal hits Ukraine's core issue. Kyiv has repeatedly rejected Moscow's demands to relinquish control of Russian-occupied territories, considering it tantamount to surrender.
In the past few months, the Russia-Ukraine peace talks mediated by Trump administration officials have made no substantial progress. Axios, an American online news media outlet, previously reported that US and Russian authorities are secretly negotiating and developing a new plan to end the war.
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Axios reported on Wednesday, citing informed US officials, that the new plan envisions Kyiv transferring parts of eastern territory currently outside Ukrainian control to Russia in exchange for US security commitments to Kyiv and Europe.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on the X platform that Washington will continue to develop a potential list of ending-of-war solutions based on feedback from both sides. He stated, "To end this complex and deadly war in Ukraine, serious and pragmatic proposals must be widely exchanged. For lasting peace, both sides must agree to make difficult but necessary concessions."
EU: No US or Russia to Decide; Any Peace Solution Must Involve Ukraine and Europe
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kalas, stated on Thursday (20th) that any peace solution should involve Kyiv and Europe.
Zelensky met with Turkish President Erdogan on Wednesday. His trip aimed to persuade Washington to re-engage in negotiations, but this goal was thwarted when the accompanying US envoy failed to attend. He will meet with visiting US Army officials in Kyiv on Thursday.
Since the Istanbul summit in July, Russia and Ukraine have not held any face-to-face talks. Zelenskyy called on the United States to play an effective leadership role in ending the war on social media. He did not mention Washington's framework proposal but emphasized that only Trump possesses sufficient power to end the war.
Erdogan also urged Russia and Ukraine to return to Istanbul and resume negotiations in a pragmatic manner. He said Ankara remains willing to discuss with Moscow ways to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace. "In this process, we also value the participation of our ally, the United States."
Russia continues to escalate airstrikes against Ukraine; at least 26 dead, nearly 100 missing. As winter approaches, Russian forces have intensified their airstrikes against targets in Ukraine. Ukraine claims that Russia launched 467 drones and 48 missiles at the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil on Wednesday night, killing at least 26 people and leaving nearly 100 missing. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Tek expressed shock at the number of civilian casualties.
Ukrainian officials said the attacks damaged energy infrastructure in seven regions, leading to nationwide power rationing.
Zelenskyy, speaking on the X platform, urged allies to increase pressure on Russia and provide more air defense support to Kyiv. The United States recently approved the sale of 25 Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, and Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez announced a new round of military aid to Ukraine worth hundreds of millions of euros.
German Chancellor Merz said on Wednesday that Germany is assisting Kyiv in equipping itself with long-range firepower systems and, if necessary, does not rule out the future production of such weapons within Ukraine.
