• Proposed US peace plan, approved by Donald Trump, would require Ukraine to surrender additional territory to Russia and formally abandon NATO membership.
  • The agreement would cap Ukraine's military at 600,000 personnel—less than half its current size—and offer a $200 billion reconstruction package.
  • President Zelensky has characterized the proposal as a US "vision" rather than a final offer, signaling openness to discussion amid significant domestic opposition.

A newly proposed US peace plan, reportedly backed and approved by Donald Trump, would require Ukraine to formally surrender additional territory to Russia, significantly limit its military capabilities, and abandon its longstanding pursuit of NATO membership. The proposal marks a fundamental shift in American diplomatic strategy, moving from supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity to seeking a settlement through concessions.

The plan would require Ukraine to recognize Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk as part of Russia and withdraw from additional territory in Donetsk to create a buffer zone, while freezing the current frontlines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. In exchange for these territorial concessions, the proposal includes a $200 billion reconstruction package for Ukraine, funded from frozen Russian assets and European contributions. The agreement would be legally binding and overseen by a Trump-led Peace Council, according to people familiar with the matter.

Ukraine's armed forces would be capped at 600,000 personnel under the proposed terms—a dramatic reduction from its current size, which exceeds 1.2 million troops including territorial defense forces. The country would also be required to amend its constitution to formally renounce NATO membership, with the alliance agreeing never to admit Ukraine or station troops there. A senior European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the military limitations as "the most contentious element" of the negotiations.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, while stopping short of endorsing the proposal, has characterized it as a US "vision" rather than a final offer and signaled a willingness to discuss its terms. This comes at a politically sensitive time for Ukraine, coinciding with the country's "Day of Dignity and Freedom," which honors past pro-democracy protests against external pressure.

The proposal also calls for national elections in Ukraine within 100 days of any agreement, with full amnesty for all sides. It would gradually lift sanctions on Russia and restore its seat in the G8. While the Russian envoy to Washington has expressed optimism about the plan, President Vladimir Putin has not yet publicly endorsed the proposal. Efforts to reach representatives from the Ukrainian presidential administration for additional comment were unsuccessful.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the source of the $200 billion reconstruction package. It would be funded from frozen Russian assets and European contributions, not solely from European nations.