Zelenskyy to Send Trump Peace Proposal

Latest Developments

‘Peace Has No Alternative’: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he is finalizing his own peace deal, formulated in consultation with European partners, and will soon present it to U.S. officials. He said the proposal “could define the parameters for ending the war. We believe that peace has no alternative, and the key questions are how to compel Russia to stop the killings and what specifically will deter Russia from a third invasion,” he said. Zelenskyy’s plan comes after a 28-point plan developed by U.S. and Russian negotiators without Kyiv’s input was criticized for siding too much with Russia’s maximalist demands. Russian President Vladimir Putin later rejected elements of a refined 19-point plan presented by U.S. envoys.
Trump Pressures Zelenskyy: In a Politico interview published on December 9, President Donald Trump said Zelenskyy had “to get on the ball and start accepting things,” asserting that Russia is in a better negotiating position and Ukraine is “losing” the war. He also claimed that Zelenskyy is using the war to avoid holding an election. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that “in many ways, on the subject of NATO membership, on the subject of territories, on the subjects of how Ukraine is losing land, [Trump’s statements are] in tune with our understanding.”
Zelenskyy Open to Holding Elections: Zelenskyy responded to Trump’s criticism, stating that he is “ready for elections” if the United States and European states could provide security for the vote. Zelenskyy’s term would have expired in May 2024, but elections have been suspended because Ukrainian law prohibits them under martial law, which has been in place since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Lifting martial law could upend Ukraine’s war effort. Additionally, many Ukrainian citizens live abroad as refugees or in occupied territories or are serving as soldiers at the front. Other challenges include concerns about the safety of polling locations, campaign activities, and debates.

FDD Expert Response

“Putin is demanding that Ukraine accept defeat despite the inconvenient fact that Ukraine has not been defeated. Although Russian forces continue to inch forward at enormous cost, the Ukrainian defense is holding. Kyiv will not capitulate to terms Moscow cannot impose through force of arms. The fact is that peace will likely remain elusive until and unless Washington can convince the Kremlin to compromise.” — John Hardie, Russia Program Deputy Director

“President Zelenskyy is demonstrating that he not only listens to President Trump but also responds to him. His peace proposal and offer to hold elections show that he is flexible and keen to end this war. President Trump should recognize that Vladimir Putin is the only remaining obstacle to peace, not Zelenskyy.” — Peter Doran, Adjunct Senior Fellow

“Pushing Ukraine to give up its territory is an old game by Moscow to achieve its maximalist demands. As Putin knows, Zelenskyy cannot accept Moscow’s demands, which creates the impression that Ukraine is opposing peace. Russia will then portray Ukraine as an unreliable partner, giving Putin leverage with the White House. Putin is just trying to buy more time, and the Trump administration should not fall for this deception.” — Ivana Stradner, Research Fellow