Moscow is currently reviewing a proposed peace plan for Ukraine, presented by the United States, while Kyiv has firmly stated it will not cede any territory in exchange for peace. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that Russia has received the core elements of the plan, which emerged from negotiations between the US and Ukraine in Geneva.
Discussions regarding the plan are scheduled to take place in Moscow next week. Peskov indicated that the upcoming negotiations will focus on resolving differences related to the international recognition of any settlement in Ukraine. He reiterated Russia’s preference for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Peskov also commented on the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, raising questions about his mandate and the postponement of elections in Ukraine. These issues, he suggested, complicate the path towards a negotiated settlement.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that hostilities would cease if Ukraine withdrew from territories claimed by Russia in the Donbas region. He warned that if Ukraine does not withdraw, Russia would pursue its objectives through military force.
Regarding the American peace proposal, Putin acknowledged that a final agreement has not yet been reached but suggested it could serve as a basis for future negotiations. He emphasized that Washington is taking Russia’s concerns into account. Putin anticipates the arrival of a US delegation, led by envoy Steve Witkoff, in Moscow in the coming days to further discuss the proposal with Russian officials.
Meanwhile, Andriy Yermak, the head of President Zelensky’s office, has asserted that Ukraine will not concede any land to Russia in exchange for peace. In an interview, Yermak, who also serves as a chief Ukrainian negotiator, stated that no rational person would sign a document ceding Ukrainian territory while Zelensky remains president, emphasizing that such an action would be unconstitutional. He suggested that the most realistic option currently is to define a line of contact, describing the proposal reached in Abu Dhabi negotiations as not conflicting with Ukraine’s interests.
DZWatch will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they become available.
