On November 21, 2025, Ukraine found itself at the epicenter of a diplomatic and political storm as a controversial 28-point peace plan, reportedly approved by U.S. President Donald Trump, sent shockwaves through Kyiv and across Europe. The plan, drafted after weeks of secret negotiations, was revealed amid a backdrop of intensifying Russian drone attacks that plunged swathes of Ukraine into darkness, and a government in Kyiv grappling with both battlefield setbacks and a mounting corruption scandal.
According to NBC News, a senior U.S. official insisted that Ukraine was consulted during the drafting process. The official said, “This plan was drawn up immediately following discussions with one of the most senior members of President Zelenskyy’s administration, Rustem Umerov, who agreed to the majority of the plan, after making several modifications, and presented it to President Zelenskyy.” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office confirmed receipt of the draft plan from the American side, with Zelenskyy promising “constructive, honest and swift work” to end the war, following a meeting with U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
Despite these assurances, the details of the plan have not been officially released, fueling speculation and anxiety. A source familiar with the matter told NBC News that the 28-point framework, as reported by Axios, accurately reflected the current positions of the parties involved and incorporated feedback from both Russia and Ukraine. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back against claims that the plan was tilted in Moscow’s favor, stating that both sides were engaged “equally” and that President Trump had grown “increasingly frustrated” with the slow progress.
Yet, Ukraine’s response was swift and unequivocal. As reported by The Guardian and other outlets, Oleksandr Mereshko, chairman of the Ukrainian parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, denounced the proposal as an “absurd” and “surrender” to Russia. He argued that the plan would force Ukraine to concede the entire Donbass region—exactly what President Vladimir Putin has sought through military means but failed to achieve after three years of war. The plan also reportedly requires Ukraine to halve its military capabilities and dismantle long-range missile systems capable of striking deep into Russian territory. Other stipulations include prohibiting foreign troops on Ukrainian soil—a condition opposed by Ukraine, France, and the UK—granting Russian official language status, and recognizing the Russian Orthodox Church’s role in Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials accused the proposal of being designed to isolate Kyiv from Western partners and alleged that it was influenced by Kirill Dmitriyev, an advisor closely aligned with Putin. President Zelenskyy, for his part, reaffirmed his red line: Ukraine would not cede “even an inch” of its sovereign territory. There are also indications that Zelenskyy may soon hold direct discussions with President Trump to clarify Ukraine’s position.
The timing of the peace initiative is no coincidence, according to sources close to the Ukrainian government cited by NBC News. With Russian drones raining down on Ukrainian cities and Russian forces threatening to overrun the strategic town of Pokrovsk—a potential gateway to the Donbas heartland—Kyiv is under extraordinary pressure. At the same time, Zelenskyy’s government has been rocked by a $100 million corruption scandal implicating close associates and senior officials, further undermining his negotiating position.
Political opponents within Ukraine have seized on the moment. Vadym Ivanchenko, an opposition lawmaker, voiced skepticism, saying, “I am not entirely sure who has actually worked on this particular plan. No one has presented it officially or explained the logic behind its points.” He added that the reported terms appear “at odds with Ukraine’s interests.” The Batkivshchyna party, led by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, echoed these concerns, acknowledging Ukraine’s vulnerability but resisting any suggestion of defeat or capitulation.
European allies have also expressed alarm. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas bluntly stated that, “In order to end this war, you need the Ukrainians and the Europeans to agree to those plans.” European foreign ministers meeting in Brussels underscored their support for Kyiv and warned against any peace settlement that would force Ukraine into capitulation. Many European governments view the idea of ceding territory to Russia and limiting Ukraine’s future defensive capabilities as a dangerous international precedent that could embolden further aggression from Moscow. Danylo Metelskyi, director of the Center of Social Transformations in Kyiv, warned, “If territories seized by force remain under the control of the aggressor state, it undermines the entire postwar global order.”
While the Kremlin has remained noncommittal, Russian officials continue to demand that Ukraine cede territory, weaken its military, and forswear NATO membership. Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, reiterated Russia’s insistence on addressing the “root causes of this conflict.” At the same time, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz emphasized Washington’s efforts to end the war, noting that the U.S. had proposed “generous terms for Russia, including sanctions relief,” while also promising continued weapons support for Ukraine if Moscow refuses to halt its attacks.
The uncertainty surrounding the peace plan has added to Ukraine’s woes at a time of acute crisis. On November 21, large parts of the country were plunged into blackouts by Russian drone attacks, as reported by NBC News. Zelenskyy, facing both political and military pressure, has little choice but to publicly express openness to U.S. efforts, even as skepticism and resistance grow at home and abroad.
Meanwhile, the broader geopolitical environment remains volatile. U.S. markets reeled from AI-driven turbulence, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.84 percent, the Nasdaq plunging 2.16 percent, and the S&P 500 dropping 1.56 percent. The shockwaves spread to Asia, where Japan’s Nikkei fell by 2 percent and other major indices followed suit. In India, markets opened cautiously despite robust macroeconomic fundamentals, while Reliance Industries announced it had ceased purchasing Russian oil—a move reflecting New Delhi’s independent foreign policy and energy security priorities. Crude oil prices softened in response to the diplomatic push, and gold prices slipped amid U.S. economic uncertainty.
As the world watches, the fate of Ukraine—and the balance of power in Europe—may hinge on how Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow navigate this latest, fraught attempt at peace. The stakes could hardly be higher, and the risks of miscalculation loom large on all sides.
