Amid escalating tensions and continued Russian military strikes in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has cautiously engaged with a US-proposed peace plan, despite its controversial provisions. The plan, which includes proposals such as Ukraine ceding control of parts of the Donetsk region, reducing its military size, and pledging not to join NATO, has been met with skepticism from Kyiv. Zelensky’s office issued a carefully-worded response, acknowledging the plan’s potential to revive diplomacy but stopping short of outright endorsement. Meanwhile, Russian strikes have claimed six more lives overnight, further intensifying the conflict. The Kremlin has yet to receive any official communication from the US regarding the plan, with spokesperson Dmitri Peskov stating that Russia remains open to peace talks but insists on addressing the ‘root causes of the conflict.’ The US draft, reportedly discussed with Ukrainian official Rustem Umerov, also proposes lifting sanctions on Russia and reintegrating it into the global economy, including a return to the G7. European leaders, however, have expressed limited involvement in the plan’s formulation, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasizing the need for Ukrainian and European consensus. As Zelensky prepares to discuss the proposals with US President Donald Trump, the plan’s reception among Ukrainians remains mixed, with some viewing it as a continuation of the war rather than a path to peace.