US draft peace proposal demands major concessions from Ukraine

2025-11-19 22:21:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

A new draft proposal drawn up by the United States aimed at stopping the war in Ukraine requires Kiev to give up part of its territory.

It is also reported that the American proposals include reducing the size of the armed forces and accepting the halt to American military aid that has been essential to Ukraine's fight against Russian forces.

Furthermore, no foreign forces will be allowed on Ukrainian soil and Kiev will no longer receive long-range weapons.

The proposals in this draft, which were described in detail by The Financial Times and Reuters, largely align with the demands that Russia has made since the beginning of this year, when US President Donald Trump launched efforts for direct negotiations with Moscow regarding the war in Ukraine.

A source familiar with the matter told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Ukrainian Service that "I don't know if this is Witkoff's plan, or some other plan, but I can tell you that according to the information I have, the American side has sent signals to the Ukrainian side, practically insisting that President Zelensky agree to a framework that would include several points such as the handover of territories and their recognition as Russian, the reduction of defense forces, and some other points favorable to Putin."

Although Ukrainian officials have yet to speak publicly on the matter, shortly after news of the proposals began circulating, Zelensky, who is visiting Turkey, praised "the decisive steps and leadership of President Trump and any fair proposal to end this war. And only President Trump and the United States have the power to end this war."

On November 20, Zelensky is expected to meet with US Department of Defense officials in Kyiv.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold off Russian soldiers, even as Moscow suffers heavy casualties.

Russia has increased pressure on the key city of Pokrovsk, and the offensive there is part of Putin's stated goal of controlling the entire eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas.

Russia is also hitting Ukrainian cities and its energy infrastructure ahead of the cold winter temperatures, trying to demoralize Ukrainians already weary of war.

Zelensky has previously rejected demands from Moscow that Ukraine give up territory or reduce the size of its armed forces, saying such a move would only weaken Ukraine and increase the risk of a new invasion in the future .