Zelensky, Trump and Putin

For the first time after almost three years of the Russia-Ukraine war, such a peace proposal has come forward which has attracted the attention of the whole world. US President Donald Trump has reportedly prepared a 28-point peace framework, information about which was leaked to the media during the US Army Secretary’s visit to Ukraine.

This draft is not official yet, but many reputed global news organizations have confirmed it quoting sources. This proposal is also in discussion because many of its conditions match Russia’s old agenda. Territorial concessions from Ukraine, reduction in the size of the army, and guaranteed distance from NATO. In such a situation, the question is arising whether this is a step towards peace or a demand for surrender from Ukraine?

Was the proposal prepared according to Russia?

According to reports, major changes related to Ukraine’s sovereignty and security structure have been suggested in this draft. The biggest controversy is regarding the conditions which appear to be in line with the three basic demands made by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

-Stopping NATO expansion and Ukraine leaving NATO membership

-Canceling the deployment of Western weapons near the Ukraine-Russia border

-Bringing NATO’s military structure back to its 1997 status.

These points may not have been written directly in Trump’s 28-point draft, but their effects are clearly visible.

What concessions were asked for?

1. Demand to give up land-Crimea and Donbass to Russia: The most sensitive part of the draft is that Ukraine would have to accept Russia’s permanent and complete control over Crimea. Those parts of Donbass (Donetsk and Luhansk) that Ukraine still controls would have to be handed over to Russia, i.e. about 14.5% additional territory. Apart from this, the existing battle lines in Zaporizhia and Kherson will be frozen i.e. the status quo will become permanent. This is exactly the direction Russia has been seeking from the beginning – to stabilize the Russian sphere of influence in the south and east of Ukraine.

2. Donbass will become demilitarized zone: Both Ukraine and Russia will not be able to maintain regular troops in Donbass. The responsibility of monitoring it can be given to an international force, this is beneficial for Russia because with this it can consider this area militarily secure.

3. Big cuts on Ukraine’s military: There is a proposal to reduce Ukraine’s military strength by 60%. With a maximum limit of 6 lakh soldiers. Ukrainian military experts say that in such a situation the country’s defense will depend on paper assurances. Some reports also say that there have been demands to give up some types of weapons, especially long-range missiles.

4. Ban on NATO, Ukraine will become a non-NATO state: Ukraine must ensure in its constitution that it will never join NATO. At the same time, NATO will also have to ensure that its troops will not come to Ukrainian soil. This has been included in Putin’s oldest and most stringent demands.

What do the reactions of Ukraine, Russia and America say?

In return, the US and European countries will provide security guarantees to Ukraine. According to reports, European fighter jets can be deployed in neighboring countries like Poland. At present Putin has denied having knowledge of any such peace draft. Zelensky indicated initial agreement, but also said Ukraine’s borders are not an object of bargaining. Official confirmation has not yet come from the White House. European countries have called this shocking and a strategy to put pressure on Ukraine.