The United States has indicated to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine should accept a Washington-drafted framework to end the war with Russia, according to sources familiar with the matter. The plan reportedly calls for Kyiv to surrender territory, reduce its armed forces, and limit certain weapons in exchange for U.S. security guarantees.
Officials say the proposals were discussed between Washington and Moscow without Ukraine’s direct involvement. The White House and State Department declined to comment. A senior Ukrainian official confirmed Kyiv had received “signals” about the plan but stressed it had no role in shaping the proposals.
The timing comes as Ukraine faces mounting Russian advances in the east and political turbulence at home, with parliament dismissing two ministers amid corruption investigations. Zelenskyy, meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, is expected to host U.S. Army officials in Kyiv on Thursday.
The initiative, part of a renewed push by President Donald Trump’s administration, sparked a surge in Ukraine’s bond prices. Yet Moscow has shown no sign of softening its demands, including Kyiv renouncing NATO membership and withdrawing from four regions Russia claims. Russian forces currently control about 19 percent of Ukrainian territory and continue strikes on energy infrastructure.
Axios reported the U.S. plan envisions granting Russia additional territory in eastern Ukraine in return for American-led security guarantees for Kyiv and Europe. European diplomats voiced skepticism, warning the proposals risk sidelining Ukraine’s position and echoing Russian demands.
A U.S. delegation led by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff General Randy George is in Kyiv on a fact-finding mission and will meet Zelenskyy on Thursday.