KYIV, Ukraine — A new American proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine has placed the country in a precarious diplomatic situation. Ukraine finds itself balancing the demands of its key ally, the United States, while avoiding concessions to Russia, which invaded Ukraine nearly four years ago. The 28-point peace plan was developed by the administration of former President Donald Trump in collaboration with the Kremlin, without any input from Ukrainian officials. The plan includes several Russian demands 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. He indicated a willingness to collaborate with the European Union and the United States.

Key elements of the proposal include territorial concessions. The plan asserts Ukrainian sovereignty but also recognizes Crimea and the Luhansk and Donetsk regions as de facto Russian territory, including acknowledgment from the United States. Additionally, it proposes freezing the borders of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia along the current front lines. This would effectively require Ukraine to withdraw from areas that Russia has not fully claimed, establishing a neutral demilitarized buffer zone recognized as Russian territory.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that Ukraine will never accept the annexation of its territories. Oleksandr Merezhko, head of Ukraine’s foreign affairs parliamentary committee, criticized the proposal for its contradictions. He noted that while it claims to guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty, it simultaneously includes provisions that would undermine it. Merezhko described the plan as a “nonstarter” but suggested it might be part of a broader strategy by Trump to provoke a reaction before negotiating more reasonable terms.

The proposal also includes security guarantees, requiring Ukraine to amend its constitution to prohibit NATO membership and limit its military to 600,000 soldiers. NATO forces would be barred from being stationed in Ukraine, restricting Kyiv’s military alliances. The plan offers Ukraine preferential access to the European market while it works toward EU membership, contingent on implementing necessary reforms.

Zelenskyy has argued that NATO membership is essential for Ukraine’s security. However, Trump has indicated that NATO membership is off the table. While NATO’s 32 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.

The proposal also addresses NATO expansion, asserting that Russia will not invade neighboring countries and that NATO will not expand further. However, NATO operates on a consensus basis, and the U.S. has traditionally played a leading role in its decisions, although this has shifted under Trump’s leadership.

Another contentious aspect of the proposal is its demand that Ukraine relinquish any claims to hold Russia accountable for its actions during the conflict. This would prevent many Ukrainians from seeking reparations or justice for their suffering. Volodymyr Fesenko, a Ukrainian political analyst, warned that signing the plan would be “catastrophic” for Zelenskyy, noting the intense pressure from the White House to comply.

The proposal also suggests that Russia agree to invest $100 billion of its frozen assets into rebuilding Ukraine. However, Russian officials have rejected this notion, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that any attempt to misappropriate Russian assets would lead to prosecution of those involved.

As Ukraine navigates this complex diplomatic landscape, the implications of the proposed peace plan remain uncertain, with significant challenges ahead for its leadership and the future of the nation.