Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Turkey on Wednesday coincided with the emergence of a contentious US-Russian peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The proposal, reportedly crafted by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, demands significant concessions from Ukraine, including the complete withdrawal from the Donbas region and the formal cession of Crimea. Additionally, it would prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, reduce its military forces from 880,000 to 600,000, and establish a frozen line of contact in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. While the plan offers US security guarantees, reconstruction aid, and preferential access to European markets, Ukrainian officials have dismissed it as a “Russian burger,” with one describing it as “bullshit.” Despite initial resistance, Zelensky expressed openness to discussions, emphasizing collaboration with the Trump administration. The proposal’s timing, amid corruption allegations against Zelensky’s inner circle and Russia’s battlefield gains, has raised suspicions of deliberate pressure. Western diplomats suggest the plan may be a negotiation tactic, with conditions subject to change. During his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zelensky sought to revive Istanbul negotiations, potentially crafting an alternative to the Russian proposal. Turkey, while advocating for Ukraine’s sovereignty, privately acknowledges that territorial compromises may be necessary for peace.