KYIV, Ukraine — A new American peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine has placed the country in a precarious diplomatic situation. Ukraine finds itself balancing the need to satisfy its key ally, the United States, while avoiding concessions to Russia, which invaded Ukraine nearly four years ago. The 28-point plan, developed by the administration of former President Donald Trump in collaboration with the Kremlin, was created without Ukraine's input. It includes several demands from Russia that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently rejected, such as ceding significant territories.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for the proposal, stating it “could form the basis of a final peace settlement” if the U.S. can persuade Ukraine and its European allies to agree. In a recent address, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a peace agreement that guarantees Ukraine's security against future Russian invasions, indicating his willingness to collaborate with the European Union and the U.S.

Key elements of the proposal include territorial concessions, security guarantees, and accountability for Russian actions.

**Territorial Concessions** The proposal asserts Ukrainian sovereignty but also recognizes Crimea and the Luhansk and Donetsk regions as de facto Russian territory, including by the United States. It suggests that the borders of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, regions partially occupied by Russia, would be frozen along the current front lines. This would effectively require Ukraine to withdraw from areas that Russia has not fully claimed. The plan also mentions that Russia would give up control of other territories outside these five regions, although specifics remain vague.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that Ukraine will never acknowledge the occupied territories as Russian. Oleksandr Merezhko, head of Ukraine’s foreign affairs parliamentary committee, criticized the plan for its contradictions, saying it guarantees sovereignty while simultaneously undermining it. He described the proposal as a “nonstarter” but suggested it might be part of a broader strategy by Trump to provoke a reaction.

**Security Guarantees** The proposal requires Ukraine to amend its constitution to prohibit NATO membership and for NATO to formally agree not to admit Ukraine in the future. It also limits the Ukrainian military to 600,000 personnel and prohibits NATO forces from being stationed in Ukraine. While the plan offers Ukraine preferential access to the European market, it lacks clarity on how the U.S. would ensure that Russia does not invade again.

Zelenskyy has argued that NATO membership is essential for Ukraine's security. However, since taking office, Trump has indicated that NATO membership is off the table. Although NATO member countries have stated that Ukraine is on an “irreversible” path to membership, some members, particularly the U.S., have hesitated to advance this while the conflict continues.

**NATO Expansion** The proposal includes a commitment that Russia will not invade neighboring countries and that NATO will not expand further. NATO operates on a consensus basis, and the U.S. has historically played a significant role in shaping its agenda, although this has shifted under Trump.

**Accountability for Russian Actions** The plan also asks Ukraine to forfeit any claims to hold Russia accountable for its actions during the conflict. This would prevent many Ukrainians from seeking reparations or legal recourse for their suffering. Human rights experts have labeled Russia’s treatment of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war as crimes against humanity.

Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko warned that signing the plan would be “catastrophic” for Zelenskyy. He noted that rejecting the proposal could lead to intense pressure from the White House. Some aspects of the plan, such as declaring Ukraine a neutral country or granting official status to the Russian language, would require constitutional changes that must be approved by parliament.

Fesenko suggested that a referendum on these issues could serve as a potential compromise.

**Russia’s Frozen Assets** The proposal also calls for Russia to agree to invest $100 billion of its frozen assets in rebuilding Ukraine. However, Russian officials have expressed strong opposition to this idea. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that any attempt to misappropriate Russian assets would lead to legal consequences for those involved.

As the situation develops, Ukraine faces significant challenges in navigating the complexities of the proposed peace plan while maintaining its sovereignty and security.