A leaked document has reportedly exposed Russia’s hand in the original U.S. peace plan for Ukraine.
The original 28-point plan drew heavily on a Russian-written proposal that reportedly included territorial concessions long demanded by Moscow, now causing Ukrainian, U.S. and European officials to rush to rewrite the framework.
Washington, Kyiv and European capitals are scrambling after talks in Geneva triggered a revised Ukraine peace plan, following the disclosure that Russian-authored language shaped key parts of the original draft and sparked backlash from lawmakers, allies and security analysts concerned about sovereignty, security and global precedent.
Military.com reached out to the White House, State Department, National Security Council, NATO and congressional leaders for comment.
Red Flags Over Original Draft
Doubts remain within diplomatic and defense circles as negotiators try to salvage credibility after the original proposal was revealed to contain Russian-friendly provisions. The draft was linked to a Russian-authored, non-paper cited by sources familiar with the drafting process.
The 28-point proposal included controversial elements such as proposed force limits and restrictions on NATO membership for Ukraine, which sparked widespread concern among U.S. and European lawmakers.
That disclosure has shifted the narrative away from conflict resolution and more towards questions of influence, transparency, leverage and trust.
“I am still not holding my breath.”
“The revised plan is much improved,” Michael O’Hanlon, director of research and senior fellow of the foreign policy program at the Brookings Institution, told Military.com. “It apparently will not require Ukraine to give up land it currently holds or to accept unilateral restrictions on its military capabilities. Those were among the most egregious elements of the 28-point Russian-influenced plan.
“But I am still not holding my breath. I am dubious [Russian President Vladimir] Putin will agree to this when he thinks he’s winning and he thinks we’re tiring.”
Kyiv Resets Conditions
Ukraine has signaled it is willing to advance a revised peace framework, but only if sensitive issues such as territorial integrity, sovereignty and long-term security guarantees are handled directly at the highest level with the United States and in coordination with European allies. Officials in Kyiv continue to reject any plan that locks in territorial losses or limits the nation’s right to defend itself.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s overseas envoy Steve Witkoff will be part of talks at the Kremlin next week, according to the BBC, while U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is working on the Ukraine side. Witkoff’s impending visit was reportedly confirmed by Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, on Wednesday.
European powers moved quickly in response. The United Kingdom, France and Germany circulated a counter-proposal that reinforces Ukrainian sovereignty and calls for stronger NATO-style security guarantees. That version effectively strips language tied to force caps and recognition of Russian-held territory.
Diplomats confirmed the evolving plan continues to shift as new language moves quietly through diplomatic channels. Growing momentum in Europe has reflected intensified pressure on negotiators to strengthen guardrails around sovereignty and post-war security.
Military strikes have not slowed. Russian missile and drone attacks continue to slam into Ukrainian cities, power stations, transportation corridors and residential neighborhoods, leaving burning buildings, shattered windows and displaced families in their wake. Civilian areas around Kyiv and across eastern and southern regions remain under constant threat as air raid sirens punctuate daily life.
Rewrite Under Pressure
The updated proposal is reportedly down to 19 points, with the most controversial sections removed.
Russia has signaled that any final agreement must reflect its own stated interests, suggesting resistance remains high.
Negotiations are expected to continue through diplomatic channels in Europe and the Middle East in the coming days. The next phase could include direct leader-level talks if progress holds.
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