Ukraine Agrees to U.S.-Backed Peace Proposal — Key Details Await Russian Response

✅ What Ukraine and the U.S. Agreed

• According to a U.S. official, Kyiv accepted the peace framework proposed by the U.S., signalling agreement on the “core terms.”
• The plan was revisited in recent talks in Geneva involving U.S., Ukrainian, and European diplomats — said to have “refined” earlier proposals from the U.S. administration.
• Ukrainian national security chief Rustem Umerov said that Kyiv is ready to finalize the deal soon; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may visit the U.S. before month-end to help seal the agreement.

🕊️ What’s On the Table — And What’s Contested

• The proposal stems from a draft originally prepared by the U.S., reportedly including controversial demands such as Russia’s control over certain Ukrainian regions, restrictions on Ukraine’s military, and a ban on joining NATO.
• After pushback from Kyiv and its allies, the draft was revised. The updated framework reportedly “softens” some of the harshest demands, but official details remain scarce.
• The plan includes security guarantees for Ukraine from the U.S. and its allies, possibly resembling the collective-defence guarantees under NATO.

🏛️ Diplomacy in Motion — Driscoll, Russia & Uncertain Road Ahead

• U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll flew to Abu Dhabi and met with Russian officials for several hours to present the revised plan and push for rapid negotiations.
• Meanwhile, Russian authorities have responded cautiously. Russian officials say no substantive dialogue on the proposal has yet taken place — the document still requires deep examination by Moscow’s experts.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed that while Moscow appreciates Washington’s initiative, they will only negotiate once the proposal aligns with prior understandings between leaders. CBS News+1

⚠️ What’s Next — Key Hurdles & Global Reactions

• The apparent agreement by Ukraine comes at a time when Russia has not formally committed to the plan. Without Russia’s buy-in, the deal remains fragile. CBS News+2CBS News+2
• Allies in Europe are closely watching — some fear the plan could excessively favour Moscow, risking Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term security. Wikipedia+1
• Observers await a formal response from Russia, along with details about whether Ukraine must concede territory, demobilise part of its army, or abandon alliance goals in exchange for security guarantees.