Driving the news:
Vance outlined three conditions he considers essential for any viable agreement: “stopping the killing while preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty,” “being acceptable to both sides,” and “preventing the war from starting again,” adding that all attacks on the administration’s proposed peace plan either “misunderstand it or distort the existing realities on the ground.”
Why it matters:
Trump administration’s so-called peace blueprint has fueled deep concern among Ukraine’s supporters on Capitol Hill, who fear that Washington may pressure Kyiv into making major territorial concessions.
The big picture:
The leak comes months after peace talks collapsed, following Trump’s dissatisfaction with continued Russian attacks despite his face-to-face meeting with Putin. Washington responded by imposing new sanctions on major Russian oil companies.
What he's saying:
Vance argued that linking Ukrainian victory to “more money, weapons, or sanctions” is a “fantasy.”
He stated that peace cannot be achieved by “failed diplomats,” but only by “realistic people.”
Key points:
- The proposed plan reportedly places parts of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk under Russia’s “de facto control.”
- Ukraine’s military would be downsized.
- NATO troop presence in Ukraine would be prohibited, undermining European proposals for a peacekeeping force.
- The only major concession for Kyiv: $100 billion of Russia’s frozen assets would be used for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
- Sanctions on Russia and its allies would be lifted, and Moscow would re-enter the global economy.
- Only a limited number of Ukrainian officials have been briefed, surprising Kyiv’s allies in Congress.
Zoom in:
The peace blueprint was reportedly drafted by Steve Witkoff, Washington’s special envoy, and Kirill Dmitriev, a close associate of Vladimir Putin—raising questions about the plan’s balance and the level of influence Moscow may have had on its content.
State of play:
Several prominent Republicans—Roger Wicker and Mitch McConnell—have forcefully condemned the plan.
Wicker insisted that Ukraine must not be pressured into giving up territory and that decisions about its armed forces must remain “fully sovereign.”
McConnell suggested that Putin spent the past year “deceiving Trump,” adding that if officials are more focused on pleasing Moscow than securing real peace, the president must choose “new advisers.”
Go deeper:
The plan’s terms—especially territorial concessions and a demilitarized Ukraine—represent positions Russia has long sought and which Kyiv has strongly rejected in the past.
Putin Vows No Retreat From Russia’s Military Objectives in Ukraine
Zohre Khazaee - seyed mohammad kazemi
