EDITOR'S CORNER: A Piece of Ukraine Shared Between Russia and USA

This week was dominated by news of a leaked 28-point peace plan, drafted by U.S. and Russian officials—without Ukraine or European input. The plan reads like a wish list from the Kremlin and puts Ukraine in an undignified and impossible position. The U.S. is pressuring Zelenskyy to accept it, or face consequences.

Let’s take a closer look at this peace plan—and why it is utterly rubbish. The U.S. is showing less of a global leadership role and more of a greedy uncle, willing to side with criminals above all else.

THE SO CALLED "PEACE PLAN" 

The leaked 28-point plan is a U.S.–Russia proposal to end the war. It keeps Ukraine’s sovereignty but adds strict military, political, and territorial rules. Ukraine would get security guarantees, but only if it limits its army to 600,000 troops, promises never to join NATO, hosts no NATO forces, and stays non-nuclear. Russia would promise not to attack Ukraine or Europe, and both sides would solve security issues through a new dialogue with the U.S. and NATO. A ceasefire would start once both armies pull back to agreed positions.

The plan focuses heavily on rebuilding Ukraine. About $100 billion in frozen Russian assets, plus the same amount from Europe, would pay for reconstruction. More frozen Russian money would support joint U.S.–Russia investment projects. Ukraine would get better access to European markets and new development funds. Russia would slowly return to global markets, have sanctions lifted step by step, and could rejoin the G8 if it follows the agreement.

The most debated parts involve territory. The U.S. would accept Russia’s control of Crimea and all of the Donbas region, including Donetsk and Luhansk. Front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would remain as they are. Ukraine would leave some additional areas to create a demilitarized zone that the world would treat as Russian territory. A Peace Council led by the U.S. president would make sure all sides follow the deal. Humanitarian steps like prisoner swaps, returning civilians and children, and family reunions would take place, along with early elections in Ukraine and full wartime amnesty for everyone involved.

HOW DID THE INTERNATIOAL COMMUNITY REACT?

The international reaction to this "peace plan" has been extremely critical and skeptical, to say the least! European leaders, especially in the EU, are fuming that they have not been consulted at all. They have pushed back strongly, arguing that any peace deal must include Ukraine and European partners at the negotiating table, not just the U.S. and Russia. Several diplomats and officials warn that the plan largely reflects long-standing demands from Putin and could amount to a capitulation by Kyiv.

Ukraine’s leadership has also expressed deep concern. President Zelensky has said that agreeing to the plan could mean "losing dignity" or risking a key ally, and he has vowed to negotiate but not abandon Ukraine’s core interests. Many in Kyiv see the proposal as highly imbalanced—potentially giving Russia a major victory without meaningful guarantees in return. 

The White House has been clear that it expects Ukraine to accept the deal. Officials warn that if Kyiv rejects it, the country could risk losing U.S. support, including military backing and access to critical intelligence. 

MY OPINION

I think this plan is utterly misguided. The U.S. is teetering on the edge of the Western world’s principles by allying, even indirectly, with dictators and war criminals. Putin is not fit to be part of the Western sphere of influence, let alone to sit at the table with G8 or G20 countries. He should remain isolated as a pariah.

European and Ukrainian security depends on a genuinely strong and enforceable peace plan. The proposed 28-point plan, reportedly drafted with input from Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio, is a farce. Far from guaranteeing lasting peace, it risks embroiling Europe in conflict with Russia within a decade. How? While it claims Russia will refrain from invading Ukraine or other European countries, we know Russia has repeatedly broken its promises.

Point 3 of the leaked document states: "Russia will not invade neighboring countries, and NATO will not expand further." This effectively gives Russia a pretext: if NATO admits new members, Russia reserves the “right” to invade neighboring states, creating an ongoing risk of war. Point 8 adds: "NATO agrees not to deploy troops in Ukraine." Even restricting deployments, Russia could interpret training or advisory missions as hostile actions, using them as justification for further aggression.

The economic provisions are equally troubling. The plan offers kickbacks and reconstruction funds benefiting the U.S. and Russia, while Europe bears the costs and risks. It is clear that this is not a plan focused on peace or global security, but one designed to advance U.S. interests and line certain pockets, with little regard for the safety of Ukraine or the wider European continent.

CONCLUSION

In short, this plan is not peace—it’s a handout to Russia at Europe’s expense. It endangers Ukraine and the continent, rewards a dictator, and lays bare the U.S.’s true priorities: power and profit over security and justice. Real peace requires accountability, not appeasement.

For Europe, this plan is a ticking time bomb. It weakens the continent’s defenses, gives Russia unchecked influence, and leaves European nations vulnerable to future conflict. True European security depends on strength, unity, and a peace plan that protects its people rather than betrays them.