Key Takeaways
- The 28-point plan proposed to Ukraine was largely negotiated between Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, without input from Ukraine or its allies.
- The plan would require Ukraine to cede large chunks of land, reduce its military, and forbid it from joining NATO.
- European officials are working on a counter-proposal to be presented to US officials on Sunday in Switzerland.
- The proposal has sparked concerns among Ukrainians, who fear that Russia drafted large swathes of the document unbeknownst to them.
- The US President, Donald Trump, is facing a domestic political slump and is eager to secure a deal, but Ukrainians are concerned about the details of the proposal.
Introduction to the Controversy
The sudden introduction of a 28-point plan to Ukraine by the Trump administration has sparked controversy and raised concerns among European officials and Ukrainians. The plan, which was presented as a take-it-or-leave-it proposition, was largely negotiated between Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, without input from Ukraine or its allies. This has led to concerns that the plan may not be in the best interests of Ukraine and may even be a Russian-backed proposal.
The Negotiations Behind the Scenes
According to sources familiar with the deliberations, the plan was negotiated over several weeks in secret, with Witkoff and Dmitriev meeting in Miami in October to finalize the details. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, was also involved in the negotiations, having worked with Witkoff on the Israel-Gaza peace deal. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was not fully looped in until late, and Trump only found out about the plan at the last minute. This lack of transparency and involvement from key stakeholders has raised concerns about the legitimacy and fairness of the proposal.
The European Response
European officials are racing to buy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy more time to consider the proposal, and are working on a counter-proposal to be presented to US officials on Sunday in Switzerland. The Europeans are concerned that the plan would give Russia too much leverage and would undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty. They are also concerned that the plan would force Ukraine to cede large chunks of land, reduce its military, and forbid it from joining NATO. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has expressed his concerns, saying that it would be good to know who the author of the plan is and where it was created.
The US Position
The US President, Donald Trump, is facing a domestic political slump and is eager to secure a deal. He has taken an increasingly aggressive posture in the Caribbean and is weighing a possible strike against Venezuela. Trump has also been under pressure from Democrats, who have been critical of his handling of the Ukraine crisis. The proposal has sparked a heated debate in the US, with some lawmakers expressing concerns that it may not be in the best interests of Ukraine or the US.
The Ukrainian Perspective
For Ukrainians, the proposal is a cause for concern. They fear that Russia drafted large swathes of the document unbeknownst to them, and that the plan would undermine their sovereignty and security. The plan would require Ukraine to cede large chunks of land, reduce its military, and forbid it from joining NATO. Ukrainians are also concerned that the plan would give Russia too much leverage and would undermine their ability to defend themselves. Zelenskiy is facing a corruption scandal that threatens to engulf his powerful chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and is under pressure to secure a deal that would benefit Ukraine.
The Road Ahead
The talks in Switzerland on Sunday will be crucial in determining the fate of the proposal. European officials will present their counter-proposal, which will likely include measures to address Ukraine’s security concerns and ensure that any territorial swaps are negotiated fairly. The US will need to decide whether to support the European proposal or push forward with the original plan. The outcome will depend on the negotiations and the willingness of the parties involved to compromise. One thing is certain, however, the fate of Ukraine and the future of the region hang in the balance.