US Secretary of State Responds to Controversial Ukraine Peace Plan
In Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that the contentious 28-point peace proposal for the Ukraine conflict originated in the United States, despite skepticism from various senators and concerns from the European Union.
Rubio claimed on Saturday, “The peace plan was drafted by the United States and serves as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations.” He elaborated that while it incorporates Russian input, it also reflects contributions from Ukraine.
Since the plan surfaced last week, many have raised questions, particularly about its translation from Russian to English.
A bipartisan group of senators, including Sen. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), recently reported that Rubio indicated the 28-point plan aligned closely with Russian interests during a meeting at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott firmly refuted the assertions that Russians authored the plan, calling such claims “patently false,” although he didn’t clarify the source of confusion.
The plan, deemed controversial, would require Ukraine to make significant concessions, such as surrendering control of the entire Donbas region—an area not fully held by Russia for over a decade.
Additionally, Ukraine would be obligated to pledge that it will never join NATO, reduce its military forces from 900,000 to 600,000, and grant amnesty to all involved in the conflict, thereby preventing any war crimes accusations against Russians.
Notably, few concessions are expected from the Russian side under this proposal.
Major European nations promptly voiced their concerns about the plan, which reportedly involved special envoy Steve Witkoff consulting with both Ukrainian and Russian officials.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Sunday that any credible peace agreement must prioritize halting violence and preventing future conflicts. She emphasized the need for three essential elements in any peace settlement.
Von der Leyen outlined, “First, borders cannot be changed through force. Secondly, Ukraine must retain the ability as a sovereign state to defend itself without restrictions. Lastly, the central role of the European Union in maintaining peace must be fully acknowledged.” She noted that Ukraine should have the freedom to determine its own future, which, in her view, aligns with its European aspirations.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed his concerns regarding the origins of the 28-point plan in a post on X, saying, “Together with leaders from Europe, Canada, and Japan, we’re ready to work on this plan, albeit with reservations. Before proceeding, it’s important to clarify who developed the plan and its origin.”
Interestingly, former President Trump recently called for an end to the war along existing fronts after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last month.
White House press secretary Caroline Levitt voiced support for the plan during a press conference last week, stating, “President Trump has made it clear from day one that he wants this war to end. He is frustrated with both Russia and Ukraine for not committing to a peace deal.” Levitt added, “We believe this plan is beneficial for both sides and are committed to making it a reality.”
However, President Zelenskiy has shared his apprehensions regarding the concessions demanded by the plan. He remarked, “This is one of the most perilous times in Ukraine’s history: it’s about choosing between our dignity and freedom or risking the support from the United States. We choose dignity. I did not betray Ukraine in February 2022, and I will not betray it now.”
