The United States has presented a draft peace plan to Ukraine aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia, a proposal reportedly crafted without Kyiv’s direct involvement. The plan, developed by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, has sparked mixed reactions from both sides. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office acknowledged the US’s belief that the draft could “help reinvigorate diplomacy” and expressed Ukraine’s willingness to engage with its provisions to achieve a “just end to the war.” However, details of the proposal, as reported by Axios, the Financial Times, and Reuters, suggest it includes demands for Ukraine to cede control of parts of the Donbas region, significantly reduce its military size, and relinquish many of its weapons—terms that appear heavily skewed in favor of Moscow. This has led to a lukewarm response from Kyiv. The White House revealed that President Donald Trump has grown “frustrated” with both Russia and Ukraine for their reluctance to commit to a peace agreement, prompting his administration to develop a “detailed and acceptable” plan. Meanwhile, the Kremlin downplayed the significance of the 28-point proposal, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that while there have been “contacts” with the US, there is no formal consultation process. The draft plan emerged following a meeting between Zelensky and senior US military officials in Kyiv, including US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and top US army commander in Europe Gen Chris Donahue. European leaders have also expressed concerns, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasizing that any viable plan must involve Ukrainians and Europeans. Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko criticized the lack of consultation, stating that it “looks like someone wants to decide things for us,” a sentiment that resonates deeply with many Ukrainians. As the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches, the conflict remains unresolved, with both sides continuing to inflict significant damage on each other. Recent Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s western city of Ternopil resulted in at least 26 deaths, underscoring the ongoing brutality of the war.