Reports suggest the latest U.S.-drafted proposal for ending the war would require Ukraine to give up occupied territory in exchange for American security guarantees a move that has already raised deep concern among European leaders and Ukraine’s government.
Donald Trump has been publicly pressuring President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept the deal, insisting that Ukraine’s negotiators “love” the draft and that Russia is supposedly “fine with it.” Yet there’s no independent evidence that Vladimir Putin is prepared to end the war or compromise on territorial control. Critics note that Trump’s framing conveniently echoes Kremlin talking points while placing the blame on Zelensky for not rushing into an agreement.
Zelensky, currently in London for high-level meetings, is briefing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German leader Friedrich Merz on the latest round of negotiations. These leaders are seeking clarity on what concessions the United States is pushing and whether the proposed deal actually provides long-term protection against future Russian aggression.
Ukrainian officials say their recent talks with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were “constructive but not easy,” underscoring how contentious the proposed territorial terms have become. After three days of meetings in Florida, Ukraine’s chief negotiators are now racing to update Zelensky in person before Europe submits its own response.
All of this comes as Russia intensifies its attacks across Ukraine. Overnight strikes killed a 51-year-old man and wounded several children in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Days earlier, civilians were killed in separate bombardments in Sumy and Kyiv regions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone activity forced Russia to briefly shut down airspace over Moscow, diverting several major commercial flights.
European leaders worry that any agreement that forces Ukraine to surrender land would reward Russian aggression and undermine global security. Many believe a durable peace must include strong deterrence measures not a settlement that leaves Ukraine vulnerable to another invasion.
With pressure mounting and lives still being lost daily, Zelensky faces a defining moment: whether to accept a deal shaped heavily by Washington’s political interests or continue pushing for terms that guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and safety long-term.
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