Ukraine Peace Plan: US, Russia See Progress but Disagreements Persist

Productive dialogue has occurred between the United States and Russia regarding a peace plan for Ukraine, though significant challenges persist, according to Vladimir Putin’s senior advisor. The Kremlin hosted President Putin for discussions with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Tuesday, as efforts to end the protracted conflict intensify. Putin’s advisor, Yuri Ushakov, stated that while certain American proposals were “more or less acceptable” and acknowledged by the President, others were met with criticism. “Some of the wording that was proposed to us doesn’t suit us. So, the work will continue,” Ushakov commented, highlighting that the President openly conveyed both areas of agreement and “critical and even negative attitude toward a number of proposals.” This development follows a significant meeting in Florida where a Ukrainian delegation conferred with top US officials about the peace initiative. Following those discussions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed a measure of optimism, citing “some signs of progress.” A recently unveiled peace proposal has drawn particular attention and controversy. This plan, which allegedly mirrors long-standing Kremlin demands and appears to favor Russian interests, stipulates that Ukraine must cede the entire Donbas region and renounce its goal of joining NATO. These stipulations have been decisively rejected by Ukrainian authorities as unacceptable. Negotiators have since suggested that modifications have been made to the peace framework, but precise details of the updated terms are still awaited.