Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is ready to work with the United States on what the US calls its vision for ending the war with Russia. This comes after a draft peace plan was leaked to the media.

 

The reported US plan says Ukraine would give up some areas in the Donetsk region, reduce the size of its army, and promise not to join NATO. Ukraine has always said it would not agree to these conditions. The White House said Ukraine was involved in talks about the plan, even though some reports claimed it was not included at first.

 

The draft plan appeared after US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Many parts of the plan seem to favour Russia, which made Ukraine respond very carefully.

 

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Ukraine has depended on US military support. But US President Donald Trump has changed the approach, asking NATO countries to fund more of the support and making a peace deal a top priority.

 

The plan came out as Russia claimed small gains in eastern Ukraine, and Zelensky faced a corruption scandal at home involving $100 million and senior officials.

 

In his nightly video speech, Zelensky said US military officials had shown him their ideas for ending the war. He said Ukraine wants real peace, one that cannot be broken by another Russian attack. Ukraine and European leaders have always supported a “just and lasting” peace that protects Ukraine’s territory.

 

The plan has left European leaders outside the main discussions. Germany’s foreign minister said the plan was not complete and was more like a list of ideas.

 

The leaked details say Ukraine’s army would be limited to 600,000 troops, and European fighter jets would be based in Poland. Ukraine would get security guarantees, and Russia would be allowed back into the global economy, including possibly rejoining the G7.

 

Zelensky said he would speak with President Trump soon. The plan also suggests Ukraine would give up many weapons.

 

The White House said that Ukraine was not forced into the plan and that both sides had been consulted. A US official said the plan was discussed with a top member of Zelensky’s team, Rustem Umerov, who agreed to most of it after proposing changes.

 

One Ukrainian MP told the BBC that Ukraine was not included in the first talks but was added later.

 

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