Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a somber warning to his nation in a video address from a rain-drenched Kyiv this Friday, stating that Ukraine faces one of the most difficult moments in its history. He outlined a stark choice between an extremely difficult winter or a future without freedom, dignity, and justice.
Details of the Secret Peace Proposal
Zelenskyy's address was a direct response to a leaked 28-point peace plan, secretly developed by top American officials in partnership with Russia during the autumn of 2025. This development occurred without any input from Ukrainian or European leaders. The plan's Kremlin-friendly terms have shocked allies, who warn that it essentially demands Kyiv's capitulation and could make future wars in Europe inevitable.
U.S. President Donald Trump has presented an ultimatum to Zelenskyy, insisting that he must sign the agreement by next Thursday or face a complete withdrawal of American support.
Key Demands of the Plan
The proposed deal, which Russian Envoy Kirill Dmitriev expressed optimism about, reads like a wishlist of Moscow's maximalist demands. While details may be in flux, the publicized draft contains several critical provisions that would severely compromise Ukrainian sovereignty.
Ukraine would be forced to cede the remainder of Donetsk province, an area that currently houses Kyiv's main defensive fortifications. This zone would become a demilitarized buffer, though Russian forces would reportedly refrain from entering it.
Furthermore, the frontlines in the southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson provinces would be frozen. All occupied areas, including the entirety of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea, would be recognized as de facto Russian territory.
Military Restrictions and Alliance Bans
The plan imposes severe military restrictions exclusively on Ukraine. The Ukrainian Armed Forces would be limited to 600,000 personnel, representing a 25 per cent reduction from current numbers. No such limits would be placed on the size of Russia's military.
In a move that would fundamentally alter Ukraine's geopolitical standing, the country would be banned from joining NATO and from hosting NATO troops on its soil. This prohibition would also prevent any credible European-led peacekeeping force from operating in the country. The draft sets no reciprocal restrictions on Russia's military alliances.
While the proposal mentions Ukraine would receive reliable security guarantees from the United States, the details remain unspecified. Notably, Washington would be given compensation for these guarantees, which would be nullified if Ukraine were to ever invade Russia or launch a missile at Moscow or St. Petersburg without cause.
Analysts view the plan not as a path to peace, but as a blueprint for Ukraine's dismemberment and long-term strategic weakening, setting a dangerous precedent for international security.
