London : The Trump administration has escalated its diplomatic campaign to end the Russia-Ukraine war, urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept a U.S.-brokered peace plan that would require Kyiv to cede the entire Donbas region and parts of Crimea to Moscow, sources familiar with the negotiations told INVC.
According to officials, Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held closed-door talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, followed by a tense phone call pressing Zelenskyy for an immediate “yes” to the proposal.
Ukraine Rejects “Unbalanced” Terms, Citing Sovereignty Risks
Kyiv officials say the proposed terms overwhelmingly favor Russia, potentially legitimizing annexations and undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty. The plan has triggered intense pushback inside Ukraine, especially from military commanders and opposition leaders such as Oleksiy Danilov.
Zelenskyy, who met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on December 8, said any agreement must include:
Ironclad long-term security guarantees
No territorial concessions without reparations
International monitoring mechanisms
He reiterated that “peace cannot come at the cost of Ukraine’s statehood.”
EU, NATO Officials Warn of Fallout
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell criticized the U.S. push, warning that the deal could embolden Putin and destabilize NATO’s eastern flank.
The diplomatic effort aligns with Trump’s campaign promise to end the war “quickly,” but European officials fear the proposal could fracture Western unity and set a dangerous precedent for territorial redrawing by force.
Fresh Missile Strikes Highlight Urgency
Even as negotiations unfold, Russian forces launched new missile strikes on Dnipro on December 9, killing four and injuring 40. Ukrainian air defenses reported downing 15 drones, underscoring ongoing hostilities.
Domestic Turmoil in Ukraine
Public opinion remains deeply divided, with polls indicating 60% of Ukrainians oppose any territorial concessions. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Kyiv to protest what they call “U.S. arm-twisting” and demand transparency in the talks.
Ukraine’s $500 billion war damage, according to the World Bank, adds economic pressure. A successful deal could unlock frozen Russian assets for reconstruction, though Western governments remain split on the legality and long-term consequences of such a move.
Global Stakes: Energy, Security, Nuclear Risks
Diplomats say the negotiations have implications far beyond regional borders, affecting:
Global energy markets disrupted by the conflict
NATO troop deployment strategies
Nuclear risk assessments surrounding Russian military escalation
Talks are expected to intensify ahead of a potential December summit, which may determine the next phase of the war — or reshape Europe’s security architecture for decades.
