Key Details of Trump’s 28-Point Ukraine-Russia Peace Plan/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A 28-point peace proposal shaped by the Trump administration and Russia pushes Ukraine to make major concessions. The plan, drafted without Ukraine’s input, suggests territorial losses, NATO neutrality, and legal immunity for Russia. Ukraine’s leadership has rejected the terms as incompatible with national sovereignty and justice.
Trump Ukraine Peace Plan Quick Looks
- Territorial Concessions: Plan recognizes Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk as Russian.
- No NATO Membership: Ukraine to commit to permanent neutrality.
- Reduced Military: Ukrainian army capped at 600,000; no NATO forces in country.
- No Accountability for Russia: Proposal blocks legal claims against Russian war actions.
- Frozen Assets: $100 billion of Russian funds to rebuild Ukraine.
Ukraine Faces Pressure Over Trump’s Controversial Peace Proposal
Deep Look
A proposed 28-point peace agreement—devised by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and supported by the Kremlin—has placed Ukraine in a challenging diplomatic position. The plan, presented without Ukraine’s involvement, outlines a framework that aligns closely with long-standing Russian demands. It risks undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty, territory, and constitutional values while attempting to bring an end to nearly four years of war.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded cautiously, stating his commitment to working with both the European Union and the United States to ensure any peace guarantees future security from Russian aggression. However, many of the proposal’s terms run counter to Ukraine’s core national interests.
Territorial Concessions and Sovereignty
One of the most contentious elements of the proposal is the territorial recognition it demands. While the plan claims to “confirm Ukrainian sovereignty,” it simultaneously recommends recognizing Crimea and the occupied regions of Luhansk and Donetsk as Russian territory—an idea firmly rejected by Ukraine since the war began. It also proposes freezing the front lines in partially occupied areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, effectively allowing Russia to retain control without a full withdrawal.
Furthermore, areas currently under Ukrainian control but within the Luhansk and Donetsk borders would become a demilitarized buffer zone, with Ukraine withdrawing to create internationally recognized borders favoring Russia. Although the plan suggests Russia relinquish some areas like parts of Sumy and Kharkiv regions, the details are vague and do little to offset the major concessions asked of Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials, including Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, say the proposal contradicts itself by claiming to preserve sovereignty while demanding Ukraine surrender substantial land. Merezhko characterized the plan as “a nonstarter,” though he suggested it could be a political maneuver by Trump—starting with an extreme position only to appear more reasonable later.
Neutrality and NATO
Another significant stipulation is Ukraine’s permanent neutrality. The plan calls for Ukraine to constitutionally renounce its NATO ambitions, with the alliance itself enshrining a commitment to deny Ukraine membership indefinitely. NATO military presence would also be banned in Ukraine, and the size of the Ukrainian army capped at 600,000 personnel.
While Ukraine’s NATO aspirations have long been a key part of its security strategy, Trump’s administration has consistently pushed back against alliance expansion. Although NATO reaffirmed last year that Ukraine is on an “irreversible” path toward membership, several member states—chiefly the U.S.—remain hesitant while the war continues and Ukraine’s borders are unsettled.
The plan also vaguely supports Ukraine’s efforts to join the European Union, offering temporary preferential market access while urging Kyiv to implement internal reforms. However, this section lacks concrete timelines or guarantees, making the offer uncertain at best.
Legal Immunity for Russia
Another controversial point involves relinquishing legal claims against Russia for wartime actions. If adopted, this would bar Ukrainian citizens from seeking reparations or justice for crimes such as torture, displacement, and illegal detention—many of which have been documented as potential crimes against humanity by international bodies.
Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko warned that the adoption of the plan would be “catastrophic” for President Zelenskyy, both politically and morally. He acknowledged, however, that rejecting the plan outright may trigger significant pressure from Washington, particularly if Trump regains political power.
Fesenko also pointed out that several provisions—like Ukraine adopting neutrality or giving the Russian language official status—would require constitutional amendments. These changes can only be implemented through parliament or via a national referendum, which complicates the process further.
Russia’s Frozen Assets and Reconstruction
To support post-war rebuilding, the plan calls for Moscow to authorize the release of $100 billion in frozen assets to be invested in Ukraine’s reconstruction. While the idea could provide much-needed economic support, it has already been rejected by Russian officials, including Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who labeled any use of Russian funds as theft and warned of retaliatory legal action.
This proposal, therefore, adds yet another layer of complexity, as it relies on voluntary Russian compliance and risks escalating tensions if enforced without consent.
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