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A United States peace proposal to end the war in Ukraine has been presented to European officials, outlining a controversial plan that includes freezing the conflict along existing front lines. The draft, widely reported in the media, calls for an immediate and permanent truce, followed by technical negotiations, but has been met with skepticism from allies and a guarded reaction from Kyiv.
The plan's terms, first presented by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff during talks in Paris on April 17 with Ukrainian, German, French, and British officials, contain significant concessions. A reported draft agreement to end the war suggests recognizing Russian control over Crimea and other occupied territories. In a specific provision, the proposal outlines that Ukraine would regain control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, but it would be placed under US oversight and management.
The framework is being framed as the Trump administration's definitive offer to both sides. However, the proposal's origins and intentions have drawn scrutiny. Some US senators have publicly questioned the plan, suggesting it may align more with Russian interests than a neutral peace effort. According to DW, European stakeholders have been largely excluded from the initial high-level talks between the US and Russia, raising concerns about a deal being brokered without their full involvement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that while Kyiv is aware of the ideas being circulated, they do not constitute a formal proposal. He affirmed that Ukraine would respond immediately and publicly if a concrete plan were officially presented. The proposal to freeze the war in Ukraine has put Kyiv and its European partners in a difficult position, balancing the desire for peace against the principle of territorial integrity. As diplomatic discussions continue, the international community remains divided on whether the US initiative offers a viable path to peace or risks legitimizing territorial gains from military aggression.
