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Ukraine Pushes for Revised Peace Plan, Rejects Territorial Concessions
Ukraine is preparing to present a revised peace plan to the US, rejecting any territorial concessions to Russia as part of a bid to resolve the ongoing conflict. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated that he has ‘no legal or moral right’ to cede Ukrainian land, emphasising that any border changes must be approved through a public referendum.
In comments made on Monday, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s stance against giving up any territories, including key regions such as Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which remain hotly contested. The Ukrainian president criticised a US-backed proposal that would see Ukraine cede control of Donbas to Russia, despite Moscow’s failure to fully capture the region over four years of conflict.
The proposed US peace plan has been a focal point of diplomatic talks between Ukrainian, European, and US officials. Zelensky indicated that the plan, initially containing 28 points, had been reduced to 20, but stressed that no ‘pro-Ukrainian’ points were removed. The revised plan has yet to be agreed upon, and Zelensky’s team is preparing to send a new proposal to the US in the coming days.
In parallel with the diplomatic discussions, Ukraine continues to face significant security threats, as Russian drone attacks have targeted power infrastructure in cities like Sumy. Despite this, Zelensky remains focused on resisting pressure to accept a deal that would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future aggression.
Read also: Ukraine, US Agree on Direction for New Peace Plan
Zelensky’s diplomatic tour of Europe continues, as he seeks support from international leaders. A recent summit in London, which included Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reaffirmed support for Ukraine, with leaders emphasising the need for a “just and lasting peace” and security guarantees for Ukraine.
However, the specifics of those security guarantees remain unclear, with some European countries expressing skepticism about proposals to deploy international troops in Ukraine. Discussions about the role of the US in any future defence arrangements also remain ongoing.
The growing tensions surrounding the peace talks reflect the complex nature of the conflict, with both Ukraine and Russia holding firm on key demands. While the US continues to mediate, Zelensky faces a delicate balancing act as he works to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty while navigating international pressures to bring the war to a close.
