CaliToday (22/11/2025): Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Friday that Moscow has received the U.S.-drafted peace proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. In a significant diplomatic shift, Putin stated that the plan "could be used as a basis for a final peace settlement." This marks the first time the Kremlin has officially acknowledged reviewing the 28-point document channeled through Washington’s diplomatic channels.
Speaking on state television, Putin noted that Russia had “studied the document,” though detailed discussions with the U.S. have not yet commenced. He simultaneously accused Ukraine of being the primary obstacle to peace, claiming Kyiv and its European allies "do not understand the realities of the battlefield," where he asserted Russian forces are advancing and will continue to press forward unless a truce is agreed upon.
Putin issued a stern warning: Moscow will intensify its military campaign unless Ukraine accepts a cessation of hostilities based on the proposed agreement.
🇺🇸 The Contentious American Framework: Concessions Required
According to multiple international reports, the U.S. draft contains several terms highly unfavorable to Ukraine, reflecting a focus on stabilizing the conflict quickly. The key, highly controversial rumored conditions include:
Territorial Adjustments: Ceding territory, particularly the eastern Donbas region, potentially recognizing effective Russian control over vast swathes of occupied land.
Military Limitations: Imposing severe restrictions on the size of the Ukrainian military (reportedly capping troop numbers at 600,000), dramatically limiting its offensive capabilities.
NATO Abandonment: Requiring Kyiv to abandon its long-standing aspiration for NATO membership, committing instead to a status of long-term neutrality, a core demand of Moscow.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently rejected any proposal that mandates territorial concessions or dictates Ukraine's path away from Western integration.
Zelenskyy's 'Painful and Difficult' Decision
On the same day, President Zelenskyy delivered a stark message, warning that Ukraine stands before a "painful and difficult choice" as the Trump administration presses urgently for a final peace agreement.
Writing on his Telegram channel, Zelenskyy encapsulated the dilemma: "Either losing its dignity, or risking the loss of a key partner." This public statement underscores the tremendous pressure being exerted by Washington to force an outcome. Zelenskyy confirmed Kyiv would carefully review the 28-point document based on national interests and in consultation with allies.
Amidst internal political turbulence, including ongoing high-profile corruption scandals rocking Kyiv, Zelenskyy appealed for unity. He urged citizens to "stop the arguments" and unite ahead of negotiations next week, which he described as "extremely difficult" and existential.
The acceleration of the peace push, led by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has created immense diplomatic strain. The reported terms ceding territory, drastically cutting troop numbers, and abandoning NATO ambitions constitute what one former senior Ukrainian official called "political suicide" for any leader in Kyiv.
The coming days will severely test Kyiv’s national resolve as the U.S. attempts to leverage its position to broker a deal that both Moscow and Washington appear ready to finalize.
CaliToday.Net