Territory, security guarantees, sanctions: key differences between U.S. 'peace plan', Ukrainian-European proposals

Reuters reported the information.

This week, Ukrainian and European officials pushed back against some U.S. proposals to end Russia’s war in Ukraine and presented counterproposals reviewed by the agency.  

According to Reuters, the first document reflects proposals conveyed by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff to European officials in Paris, who then shared them with their Ukrainian counterparts, sources close to the talks said. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the proposals as a “broad framework that opens a new tab” to identify differences between the sides.

The second document emerged a week after negotiations between Ukrainian and European delegations in London and was then passed on to the American side, the sources said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he believes the document resulting from the London talks is now on former President Donald Trump’s desk.

Witkoff’s proposals on territory reportedly include U.S. de jure recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula seized and annexed by Moscow in 2014, as well as de facto recognition of Russian control over areas in southern and eastern Ukraine currently held by Moscow’s forces. In contrast, the Ukrainian-European document proposes postponing detailed discussion on territorial issues until a ceasefire agreement is reached, with no mention of recognizing Russian control over any Ukrainian territory.

Regarding Ukraine’s long-term security, Witkoff’s document mentions that Ukraine would have a reliable security guarantee, with European and other allied nations acting as guarantors. However, it provides no additional details and states that Kyiv would not seek NATO membership.

The Ukrainian-European version is more specific. It stipulates that there should be no limitations on Ukraine’s military or on the deployment of allied forces on Ukrainian soil.

It also proposes strong security guarantees for Kyiv, including from the United States, referencing NATO’s mutual defense clause.

On economic measures, Witkoff’s proposal calls for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Russia since the 2014 annexation of Crimea as part of the potential deal.

The counterproposals suggest a “gradual easing of sanctions once sustainable peace is achieved,” with a clause allowing sanctions to be reinstated if Russia violates the peace agreement.

Additionally, the European-Ukrainian document proposes that Ukraine receive financial compensation for wartime damages, sourced from frozen Russian assets abroad. Witkoff’s text also mentions financial compensation for Ukraine but does not specify the source of the funds.

Reaction of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

At a briefing on April 25, the spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heorhii Tykhyi, urged people not to react emotionally to various media leaks.

“Because, believe me, they are handled by just anyone — excuse my simple language — and a large part of these leaks simply doesn't reflect reality. And when I, for example, am asked about these reports at a briefing, there’s a risk that by commenting on them, I will legitimize various manipulations made by people who, believe me, do not want peace or any progress in this process. Let’s not help these people — rely on official sources,” Tykhyi said, as quoted by RBC-Ukraine.

Tykhyi emphasized that in any negotiations, Ukraine will never recognize any part of its territory as Russian, nor will it agree to any restrictions on its army or military aid from partners. He also stressed that no third country has a veto over Ukraine’s choice of alliances and partnerships.

• Oleksandr Kraiev, expert at the Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council, believes that Donald Trump is convinced that Russia cannot be defeated and shares Kremlin narratives regarding the war in Ukraine.