Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Russia cannot dictate terms to Ukraine and Europe, while the US peace proposal requires joint work. He wrote this on social media platform X following a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reports European Pravda.

"It requires joint work. Russia cannot impose its conditions on Ukraine and Europe. Everything that concerns Poland must be agreed with the Polish government," Tusk wrote.

According to him, Zelenskyy presented his position on the US peace proposal during the conversation. The Polish premier had previously expressed surprise at provisions mentioning his country in the 28-point US "peace plan," in whose preparation Warsaw did not participate.

Zelenskyy confirmed the conversation with Tusk in his social media post and spoke about coordinating actions with partners.

"I shared details of our diplomatic work with the US and Europe. It is important for us that all partners who have been with us since the very beginning of this war are informed about the situation. We are coordinating to ensure Europe is included in the process," the Ukrainian president wrote.

He thanked the Polish prime minister and the Polish people for their support: "We know that we can always count on Poland, and we greatly appreciate this."

The mention of Poland in the 28-point plan, as leaked to the media, includes point 9 about the possible deployment of European fighter jets in the country. Poland is also mentioned in the draft supplementary document on security guarantees for Ukraine in connection with its participation in the "coalition of the willing."

US President Donald Trump stated that Ukraine will "have to agree" to painful concessions to end the war sooner or later, Evropeyska Pravda reports.

Trump made these remarks during an exchange with journalists in the Oval Office on the evening of 21 November.

When a reporter asked Trump about reactions to his administration's "peace plan" and quoted Zelenskyy's words about Ukraine risking "losing dignity or a key partner," Trump responded: "Even he (Zelenskyy) doesn't like it?.. He should like it, and if he doesn't like it, then they need to keep fighting, I think so."

The journalist noted that Kyiv fears losing US support if it rejects the "28-point plan."

"At some point you have to agree to something… Recently in the Oval Office I said that 'you have no cards'... I think he should have made a deal a year ago, two years ago. The best deal would have been one where this war never started. That deal could have happened too if we had the right president," Trump added.

The US side gave Ukraine until 27 November to agree to the proposed "peace plan."

On Friday, Zelenskyy addressed the Ukrainian people, stating that Ukraine today faces a difficult choice and risks losing either its dignity or its key partner.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a meeting of European states on the situation in Ukraine on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

Tusk hinted that he was surprised by the mention of Poland in the "peace plan," which was not discussed with her

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has suggested surprise at provisions mentioning his country in the 28-point US "peace plan," which Warsaw did not participate in developing, while emphasizing that nothing can be decided about Ukraine without Ukraine.

"All the decisions concerning Poland will be taken by Poles. Nothing about us without us. When it comes to peace, all the negotiations should include Ukraine. Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," Tusk wrote in a post on X.

The opening sentences of his statement appear linked to Poland's mention in the 28-point plan as it was leaked to media. Point 9 specifically states that "European fighter jets could be stationed" in Poland. Poland is also referenced in a draft supplementary document on security guarantees for Ukraine in connection with its participation in a "coalition of the willing."

On 21 November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Ukrainian people, stating that Ukraine faces a difficult choice and risks losing either its dignity or its key partner.

Trump responded by commenting that if Ukraine rejects this plan, it will have to continue fighting and will sooner or later have to agree to some painful concessions

After nearly four years of brutal warfare, Russia is being offered peace terms more favorable than those being discussed in 2022 when its military position was far stronger.

In March 2022, Istanbul peace talks proposed leaving Crimea's status "to be clarified within 15 years"-ambiguous language that avoided formal recognition.

Now, with hundreds of thousands of casualties and massive equipment losses, Trump's 28-point plan gives Moscow what it couldn't win: immediate recognition of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts as "de facto Russian," Ukrainian military restrictions, a constitutional NATO ban, and security guarantees that void if Ukraine tries to retake its territory.

The plan's genesis traces to August's Alaska summit, where Trump met Putin expecting to pressure Russia toward a ceasefire. Instead, Trump emerged adopting Putin's preferred approach: skip immediate ceasefire, move directly to "comprehensive peace" addressing Russia's territorial, military, and NATO demands.

What followed were months of quiet US-Russia bilateral talks that produced a framework decidedly favorable to Moscow, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The timing amplifies the pressure. Just nine days before the plan landed in Kyiv, Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies exposed a $100 million kickback scheme at the state nuclear company-forcing two ministers' suspension and sending President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's former business partner fleeing the country. Trump now demands Ukraine sign by Thanksgiving while its government faces calls for sweeping resignations.

How Russia's demands evolved from 2022

• Territory: Istanbul delayed Crimea recognition for 15 years. Trump demands immediate "de facto" acceptance of Crimea AND Donetsk and Luhansk.
• Military size: Istanbul negotiations collapsed over troop numbers. Trump's "compromise" of 600,000 is still a 280,000 cut from current forces.
• Security guarantees: Trump's Article 5-style protection voids if Ukraine strikes Russian cities or attempts territorial restoration-effectively prohibiting sovereignty defense.
• NATO: Constitutional ban plus permanent exclusion-Moscow's core 2014 demand, now delivered by Washington.

It is a far cry from the 10-point peace plan President Zelenskyy presented in November 2022 as Ukraine's path to ending the war.

Three peace plans compared

Ukraine's response: "Not a third invasion"

Zelenskyy struck a measured tone in his evening address, saying Ukrainian and US teams would work on the proposals. But he emphasized Ukraine needs "a real peace-one that will not be broken by a third invasion"-a direct reference to the pattern where Russia uses "peace" to prepare for larger wars.

At the UN Security Council, Deputy Permanent Representative Khrystyna Haiovyshyn drew explicit red lines that directly contradict Trump's plan—see the table below:

Ukrainian politicians and experts have publicly rejected the 28-point draft as incompatible with Ukraine's interests. MP Bohdan Yaremenko from the ruling Servant of the People party said the plan was drawn up "without taking our interests into account," making it "impossible to implement in practice."

First deputy foreign minister Serhiy Kyslytsia called it a Soviet-style information-psychological operation aimed at sowing panic.

European leaders have also warned that any peace arrangement “cannot be a capitulation” and must not demand “punishing concessions” from Kyiv, as reported by Reuters.

Moscow's satisfied response signals whose plan this is

Russia's reaction reveals much about the plan's strategic implications. Kirill Dmitriev, who helped draft the proposal, told Axios "we feel that the Russian position is really being heard."

Moscow's enthusiasm for peace talks signals that proposed terms favor Russian strategic goals. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov maintained that any settlement must eliminate "root causes"-the same language Russia used before Minsk-2 to justify demands for Ukrainian constitutional changes.

He added that there are currently no talks with the United States on this document. “No real consultations are taking place. Of course, we continue our contacts. However, there is currently no process that can be called consultations,” he said.

Asked whether information about the 28-point peace plan had been passed to President Putin, Peskov replied: “I have nothing to add to what I have already said.”

Russia hasn't conceded anything; it's simply waited for a US president willing to pressure Ukraine rather than Russia.

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The question: Pragmatic peace or strategic defeat?

Trump wants Ukraine to sign by Thanksgiving-creating asymmetric pressure where he pushes Ukraine toward concessions while Russia maintains maximalist demands. The internal Ukrainian crisis and American impatience are doing negotiating work that three years of warfare couldn't accomplish.

Europe scrambles for an alternative response. Leaders warn against "capitulation" but haven't presented a unified counter-proposal. Much depends on whether the EU holds firm or fragments under US pressure for a quick deal.

But the central question isn't whether this deal ends the war. History suggests it won't.

The Minsk agreements of 2014-2015 followed this exact pattern: Russia invaded, the West pushed Ukraine toward "pragmatic compromises," and peace talks gave Moscow breathing room to prepare for full-scale invasion seven years later.

Leaked emails from Putin's advisor Vladislav Surkov revealed the strategy explicitly-use "peace" to legitimize territorial seizures, embed Russian influence mechanisms, and build springboards for the next escalation.

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Surkov himself admitted in 2024 that Minsk-2 "legitimized the first partition of Ukraine" and that "peace is nothing more than the continuation of war by other means."

The Trump plan mirrors that structure: recognize Russian territorial control, limit Ukraine's military capabilities, ban NATO membership, and provide "security guarantees" that void when Ukraine defends itself. Russia emerges with internationally legitimized gains, a weakened neighbor, and proof that aggression plus patience defeats Western resolve.

The difference between 2015 and 2025? Russia would exit this "peace" with a battle-tested military, 500,000+ mobilized troops, and deeper ties to China, Iran, and North Korea. Western intelligence warns Putin could be preparing for broader European confrontation within five years-emboldened by every deal that rewarded aggression.

Ukraine faces a hard choice: accept terms that trade immediate crisis relief for long-term strategic vulnerability, or maintain red lines while the government crisis deepens and US support wavers.

For the West, the question is whether Trump's conviction that personal rapport with Putin can deliver quick wins serves American interests, or whether it repeats the Minsk trap at a continental scale, demonstrating that nuclear blackmail works, conquest pays, and each "peace" simply sets the stage for the next invasion.

The evidence from 2015 to 2022 answers that question. Russia doesn't negotiate peace deals. It negotiates launchpads.

Three peace plans compared

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Ukrainians the country is entering “one of the hardest moments” of its modern history, urging unity as Kyiv prepares to respond to a draft US peace proposal that could reshape the course of the war.

The emerging American plan - still unofficial - outlines 28 steps toward ending the conflict, including major territorial concessions, limits on Ukraine’s military, and eased sanctions on Russia. Kyiv says any settlement must protect its sovereignty, while European allies insist Ukraine must be involved in shaping any deal.

President refuses to break oath amid mounting pressure

In his address, Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine may soon face a choice between “losing dignity” or risking the support of its most important partner. He stressed that he will not break the oath he took when assuming office and promised to defend “freedom” and “dignity” as core principles in any negotiations.

He said Ukraine will work “calmly” with the US and other partners to look for a constructive path forward. The president suggested Kyiv would present its own alternatives, saying he will fight to ensure that any agreement reflects the values Ukrainians have defended since the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Unity call comes as domestic tensions rise

Zelenskyy also urged the public and political class to “get it together” and end domestic infighting, saying unity is essential at a moment when Russian forces continue to strike cities and pressure the front line.

He recalled how, in the early hours of the 2022 invasion, Kyiv faced ultimatums that it rejected - and insisted Ukraine would not betray itself now.

The president added that Ukrainians have endured almost four years of bombardment and loss, stressing that even the strongest nation has limits. “We may be steel, but even the strongest metal can break,” he said.

European allies signal resistance to forced concessions

Internationally, reports of the draft plan have drawn concern. EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels signaled they would not support a settlement based on forcing concessions from Ukraine. They also reiterated that any peace plan must involve Kyiv and align with international law.

Zelenskyy coordinates with Washington on revised framework

Zelenskyy’s remarks came as Ukrainian officials insist they are engaging with Washington in good faith. His government has already reviewed the US proposal and says work is under way to refine it into something Kyiv can accept.

Later on Friday, Zelenskyy said he held a nearly hour-long call with US Vice President JD Vance and US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll to discuss details of the American proposal. 

He said both sides aim to shape a “worthy and effective” path toward a lasting peace and will coordinate closely with European partners at the adviser level. Ukraine, he added, welcomes any realistic initiative that helps end the bloodshed. “Teams are ready to work 24/7,” he said.

European leaders are preparing their own proposal to end the war in Ukraine within days, offering alternative terms to the Trump administration's peace framework, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The White House confirmed the authenticity of a 28-point draft plan that demands Ukraine cede the Donbas Oblast currently under its control to Moscow and accept Russia's de facto control of other territories where the front line would be frozen. Ukraine's military would be capped at 600,000 personnel, and the country's NATO membership aspirations would be foreclosed.

"This plan was crafted to reflect the realities of the situation, after four years of a devastating war, to find the best win-win scenario, where both parties gain more than they must give," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

The framework offers Moscow substantial incentives: an invitation to rejoin the Group of Eight, case-by-case lifting of sanctions, and collaboration with Washington on artificial intelligence, data centers, energy deals and rare-earth mining in the Arctic. The US would also recognize Russia's de facto control of Luhansk, Donetsk and Crimea.

Ukraine would retain the right to join the European Union and receive security guarantees for 10 years, including "intelligence and logistical assistance" or "other steps judged appropriate" after consultations with allies. However, the document does not commit the US to provide direct military assistance, according to a copy reviewed by the Journal.

Leavitt said that Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's national security and defense council, had endorsed "the majority of the plan" in talks with US officials. President Volodymyr Zelensky took a conciliatory stance after receiving a briefing Thursday, saying he was ready to work with the US on halting the war.

But Ukraine's deputy permanent UN representative struck a different tone at the Security Council. "Ukraine won't accept any limits on its right to self-defense, or on the size or capabilities of our armed forces," Khrystyna Hayovyshyn said.

European officials told the Journal they were neither included in drafting the 28-point plan nor briefed on its contents as of Thursday evening. They are now working to persuade Kyiv to back their alternative framework, which is designed to be more favorable to Ukraine. Kyiv has not yet committed to joining the European plan.

The proposal also calls for Ukraine to hold elections in 100 days, which could see Zelenskyy ousted as his administration faces a mounting corruption scandal. A peace council chaired by Trump would oversee implementation, and the US would rebuild Ukraine's gas pipelines and help create a fund for artificial-intelligence projects and data centers.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on 20 Novermber that the Russian and US sides were not actively engaged in discussing a cease-fire and that any deal needed to address the root causes of the war—Moscow's shorthand for its displeasure over NATO's eastern expansion, Ukraine's pro-Western tilt and the West's dismissal of Russia as a great power.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump ally, said "any peace deal probably should come before the Senate," adding: "I think they need to read us in on what they are going to do."

According to Politico, the plan has caused alarm in European capitals, where it has been characterized as "Putin's wish list."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has now received the Trump-backed Ukraine peace plan from the US side, but its full contents have not yet been made public officially. The initiative, discussed in recent weeks between a Trump-linked team and senior Russian figures, is reportedly designed to ask Ukraine to surrender additional territory in the east and accept tight limits on its armed forces and long-range weapons in return for a US-brokered security arrangement for Ukraine and Europe, according to a leaked outline obtained by AP.

First reported by Axios, the 28-point document was crafted by Trump associate Steve Witkoff and Kremlin-linked financier Kirill Dmitriev after talks in Miami, building on principles floated at Trump’s August summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. According to Western accounts of the draft, it would see Kyiv recognise Russian control over more of Donbas, accept Russian as an official language, grant formal status to the Ukrainian branch of the Russian Orthodox Church, and bar permanent Western troop deployments while scaling back US military aid.

Taken together, the emerging contours point to a framework that leans heavily on Ukrainian concessions while promising to recalibrate, rather than strengthen, Western military backing—a combination that has alarmed officials in Kyiv and raised questions in European capitals over whether Washington is edging toward a “land-for-peace” formula long rejected by Ukraine’s leadership.

Zelenskyy backs US leadership, rejects “reward” for aggression

On 19 November, during a visit to Ankara, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to work with the United States and its partners on any format that can bring a real end to Russia’s war. In a post on Facebook reflecting his talks in Türkiye, he wrote that only President Donald Trump and the United States “have sufficient strength for the war to finally come to an end” and that Ukraine is “ready to work in any other meaningful formats that could yield results”, provided American leadership remains “effective, strong” and focused on a lasting peace.

On 20 November, Zelenskyy’s office said he had officially received from the United States a draft peace plan that, in Washington’s view, could “reinvigorate diplomacy”. In a statement on the President’s Office Telegram channel, it is said that he had outlined principles important for Ukrainians, reiterated that "Ukraine has sought peace since the first moments of Russia’s invasion and supports all meaningful proposals"— including President Trump’s initiatives this year to stop the bloodshed.

“We are ready to work constructively with the American side and with our partners in Europe and across the world so that the result is peace,” the statement said. “In the coming days, the President of Ukraine expects to discuss with President Trump the available diplomatic options and the key points needed for peace.”

Blueprint or “information operation”?

At home, senior officials have been more direct in their criticism of the blueprint. First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya, in a post on X, called the plan a Soviet-style “information‑psychological operation aimed at sowing panic and splitting society rather than a serious peace proposal.”

Ukrainian media and experts have reacted no less bluntly to the leaked US–Russia proposal. Ukrainian outlet Radio Svoboda writes that the 28-point “Witkoff plan” “largely corresponds to the Kremlin’s demands”—demanding territorial concessions, a rollback of NATO ambitions, cuts to the army and Western military assistance—and cites analysts who deem the proposals “harmful” and warn they would leave Ukraine more vulnerable to renewed Russian aggression.

Europeans demand a seat at the table

News that the plan was prepared largely without Kyiv or major European capitals has provoked a sharp response in Brussels and across key EU member states. European foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on 20 November warned that any arrangement negotiated over Ukraine’s head would lack legitimacy and durability, according to reports in outlets such as Euronews.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Europeans support “a long-lasting and just peace” and “welcome any efforts to achieve that,” but stressed that “for any plan to work, you need Ukrainians and Europeans on board.” “Putin could end this war immediately if he’d just stop bombing civilians and killing people, but we haven’t seen any concessions on the Russian side,” she added, and, asked if there had been any European engagement in writing the reported plan, replied: “Not that I know of.”

Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel likewise underlined that Europe had not been consulted. “No, we have not been involved in the plan,” he said, adding that “what’s important for us is that whatever peace plan is on the table, Ukraine is behind it.” “Without the buy-in of Ukraine, you won’t get the support of the Europeans.”

France’s Europe minister Jean-Noël Barrot said “discussions should start with a ceasefire on the contact line that allows for negotiations on the question of territories and on the question of security guarantees.” “The only obstacle to such ordered discussions, so far, is Vladimir Putin,” he added.

Washington walks a fine line

Washington has now moved from back‑channel drafting to formally putting the proposal in Kyiv’s hands. According to the Financial Times (subscription), a US delegation delivered the 28‑point plan to Zelenskyy in Kyiv this week, with US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll tasked with walking Ukrainian officials through the document and then sounding out Moscow on next steps. US officials quoted in American media describe the plan as a “comprehensive framework” and say both sides will have to make “realistic” and “necessary” concessions, signalling Washington’s readiness to push Kyiv toward compromises it has previously ruled out.

For the Trump administration, Zelenskyy’s decision is shaped not only by the frontline situation but also by a deepening corruption scandal at home. Investigations into alleged $100m kickback schemes in the state nuclear sector have already forced the resignation of two ministers and implicated a former close associate of the president, prompting what The Guardian calls the worst corruption crisis of his tenure. Analytical centers such as OSW and other Ukrainian outlets note that the affair has shaken public trust in the president’s inner circle and fuelled calls from opponents for a broader reset of his team.

Moscow: No “novations” to announce

Russian state media, including RIA Novosti and TASS, have seized on Western reporting about the plan, highlighting proposed cuts to Ukraine’s army and recognition of Russian control in occupied regions as proof that Moscow’s maximalist demands are finally being heard.

Officially, however, the Kremlin is keeping its distance. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has told Russian outlets that there are “no novelties” in the dialogue with Washington beyond what was already discussed at the Alaska summit and that Moscow has “nothing to add” on any alleged 28-point proposal. The Foreign Ministry has likewise said it has received no formal documentation from the US and insists any credible process must address Russia’s broader “security concerns” in Europe, including NATO expansion.

What comes next

A US military and diplomatic delegation is in Kyiv this week to brief Zelenskyy and his team on the proposed framework, even as Russian missile and drone attacks continue to kill civilians and devastate infrastructure in Ukrainian cities.

For now, the Trump-backed blueprint has reignited expectations of new peace talks against the backdrop of a postponed meeting between Trump and Putin in Bucharest and fresh energy sanctions against two major Russian companies—developments that may increase pressure on Moscow to engage in negotiations, or at least to appear to do so, as it has on many occasions in the past.

A reported 28-point peace plan allegedly drafted by US and Russian officials would force Ukraine into unilateral concessions that mirror Russia’s 2022 demands in Istanbul, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The think tank states that the plan includes Ukraine withdrawing from critical territory in Donetsk Oblast and freezing the frontline in the south — steps that would disproportionately favor Russia.

Proposed peace plan seen as strategic victory for Russia

The Institute for the Study of War reported that the draft proposal would amount to "Ukraine’s full capitulation." The plan would hand Russia strategic land and positions without any clear reciprocal concessions from Moscow. ISW stated the proposal is “fundamentally the same” as Russia’s 2022 demands during talks in Istanbul.

"The reported proposed peace plan would deprive Ukraine of critical defensive positions and capabilities necessary to defend against future Russian aggression, apparently in exchange for nothing," ISW wrote.

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The plan includes Ukraine’s withdrawal from the rest of Donetsk Oblast, a move ISW assesses would disproportionately favor Russia. The oblast contains vital Ukrainian military and logistical infrastructure, including the long-standing Fortress Belt defensive line established in 2014. For over a decade, Russia has tried and failed to take this area by force. 

"The reported peace plan would give this significant land to Russia — apparently for no specified compromise — sparing Russia the time, effort, and manpower that it could use elsewhere in Ukraine during renewed aggression," ISW says.

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Ceding Donetsk would open the door to more Russian offensives

The think tank notes that the Kremlin has repeatedly said that any withdrawal from Donbas would be a precondition for peace talks — not a result.

ISW further warned that Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donetsk would give Russian troops better positions to advance into other key oblasts. In particular, they could push deeper into southern Kharkiv Oblast, eastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and even into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Russian forces might also attempt to cross the Oskil River and later threaten Kharkiv City from several directions.

Meanwhile, freezing the frontline in southern Ukraine would provide Russian troops with the opportunity to rest and rebuild, ISW noted. This would set the stage for renewed attacks against cities like Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which remain among the Kremlin’s stated objectives.

"Russia would therefore have its choice of multiple, mutually supportive offensive operations to undertake should Ukraine cede Donetsk Oblast to Russia and agree to freeze the frontline in southern Ukraine, especially if there is no meaningful security guarantee mechanisms to prevent future Russian aggression and if Ukraine concedes to Russia’s demand of reduced military size and capacity," ISW concluded.

Following media reports about a possible peace plan discussed by the US and Russia, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said the proposals seem to have been written in Moscow, according to YLE. She made her remarks during a visit by NATO ambassadors to northern Finland's Rovaniemi on 20 November, where she also delivered a lecture on Arctic policy and security at the University of Lapland.

Valtonen: Peace plan looks like it was written in Moscow

Valtonen told YLE the leaked terms resemble proposals that could have originated in the Kremlin. She warned that, if accurate, they "wipe the UN Charter off the table" entirely. Valtonen said that if the reported terms are accurate, neither Ukraine nor its European allies could accept them.

According to her, these kinds of ideas have been circulating in various unofficial documents, but none offer a basis for a just peace.

Valtonen emphasized that Finland and the rest of Europe remain committed to achieving a fair and lasting peace for Ukraine. 

“We’ve been working toward this for four years,” she said. 

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However, she also noted that there has been no formal notification or official proposal from any government involved.

“There has been no official information from the United States, from Ukraine, or from anywhere else that would really trigger any actual discussion,” Valtonen stated.

Finland warns against legitimizing Moscow’s demands

According to Valtonen, Finland, along with other European countries, has decided to support Ukraine and its people. She stressed that Ukraine is not only defending its territory but also standing for democracy and the rule of law.

“None of that is possible if the world follows Russia’s playbook,” she said. 

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Valtonen added that although Trump wants peace in Ukraine and is open to hearing different ideas, it is crucial that US partners understand the global implications of such a deal.

“We are fully convinced that they understand how significant this peace would be not just for Ukraine but for Europe and actually for the entire world order,” Valtonen told YLE.

Real peace talks still far away

Valtonen stated that any path to peace must begin with a ceasefire, something Ukraine has already agreed to. Finland has proposed such a step to Russia, but Moscow has refused to make any concessions.

“We are still very far from being able to make any kind of peace agreement,” she said. 

The Finnish minister added that Finland remains committed to supporting Ukraine through defense materials and sanctions on Russia.

In the US, the Trump administration has secretly started drafting a broad new plan to end the war in Ukraine, according to Axios. Trump's personal envoy has already held closed-door talks with a top Russian official. Ukrainian officials remain largely out of the process.

Secret three-day talks between Trump and Kremlin envoys

According to Axios, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff led the effort and met extensively with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who heads Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and plays a central role in Moscow’s diplomatic outreach on Ukraine. A US official confirmed that Witkoff and Dmitriev held three days of discussions in Miami from 24 to 26 October.

Dmitriev told Axios that his team spent the entire period “huddled” with Witkoff and other members of Trump’s team. He said the talks reflected a major shift, claiming, “we feel the Russian position is really being heard.” Dmitriev expressed confidence that this initiative has better chances than earlier peace efforts.

Zelenskyy left waiting as Russia gets first input

Witkoff had been scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Türkiye on 19 November but postponed the trip, according to Ukrainian and US officials. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umierov met Witkoff earlier in the week in Miami, a Ukrainian official confirmed to Axios.

The same official said Ukraine is aware that “the Americans are working on something,” but has not received the full proposal. Axios cited a White House official who said,

“President Trump believes that there is a chance to end this senseless war if flexibility is shown.”

A US official said the administration has started briefing European governments about the plan, but only after the Russia-focused meetings in Miami. The official added that the draft will evolve based on input from Ukraine and its European backers.

“Both parties need to be practical and realistic,” the official said.

Putin-Trump Alaska meeting shaped proposal’s foundation

Dmitriev stated that the new peace initiative builds on the principles that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to during their meeting in Alaska in August. According to him, the framework is designed not only to address the war in Ukraine, but also to “restore US-Russia ties” and meet “Russia's security concerns.”

The Kremlin envoy said that US officials are now explaining the “benefits” of this approach to both Ukrainians and Europeans. He also claimed that Russia’s growing battlefield gains have boosted its negotiating leverage.