Despite recent optimism surrounding potential peace negotiations, significant obstacles persist in the path towards ending the conflict in Ukraine. A high-ranking Ukrainian source familiar with the negotiation process has revealed that critical disagreements remain between Washington’s demands and Kyiv’s acceptable terms, even amidst perceived progress.
While recent engagement between Washington and Kyiv has been noted, three key issues continue to impede a definitive resolution. These sticking points, along with secondary disagreements within the proposed American peace plan, could ultimately determine the success or failure of efforts to end the war.
The first major obstacle involves the demand for Ukraine to cede control of strategic territories in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. These areas, partially annexed by Russia, include a vital defensive belt crucial for Ukrainian security. While the source indicated “some progress” in discussing this point within the 28-point American plan, a final agreement on its substance and wording remains elusive.
A second point of contention centers around the proposed reduction of the Ukrainian army to 600,000 soldiers. This figure remains a subject of ongoing negotiation, with higher numbers being proposed. Kyiv is demanding further modifications before agreeing to any limitations on its military forces.
Perhaps the most contentious issue is Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to its aspirations of joining NATO. The Ukrainian side categorically rejects abandoning this goal, viewing such a concession as a “dangerous precedent” that would effectively grant Russia veto power over decisions made by the Western alliance, of which it is not a member. These three demands echo conditions previously put forth by Moscow in past years.
It is understood that the US-backed peace plan is heavily based on a Russian document sent to the Trump administration last October, containing proposals previously rejected by Ukraine, including ceding substantial territory in the east.
