Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump released his own detailed, 28-point Ukraine plan. Yet this proposal requires deep concessions from Kyiv, including territorial compromises and a reduction of forces. As world leaders prepare for a pivotal summit in Geneva, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is running out of time. It’ll be up to him to decide whether to sign the final plan — due Thursday.
The original proposal was written by Kirill Dmitriev and Steve Witkoff. It demands that Ukraine cede control of territories now under the control of Ukraine forces. To those ends, the plan calls for a significant downsizing of Ukraine’s military. It entails the relinquishment of heavy, long-range weaponry. The new requirements, which have not gone unnoticed by Ukrainians, have ignited a very strong backlash. The plan is widely viewed as a betrayal of their sovereignty.
Critics of the proposal have taken their opposition quite seriously. Mustafa Nayyem, a prominent political figure in Ukraine, drew parallels between Trump’s plan and Neville Chamberlain’s infamous Munich Agreement with Adolf Hitler, describing the current situation as one that threatens Ukraine’s independence.
Dmytro Sariskyi, a young citizen of Ukraine expressed his anger. He holds that Russia has sought to control Ukraine politically and territorially for decades. He cautioned that approving the plans would make signing Kyiv give up its freedoms.
Ukrainians are already feeling the weight of Trump’s proposed deal. Ukrainian citizens, such as Olena Ivanovna pictured here in front of Kyiv’s Golden Gate monument, say they would be thankful to Trump for bringing peace. Plenty more are terrified at the prospect of humiliating loss of national face.
“I am very grateful to President Trump for him taking part in helping Ukraine and creating peace.” – Olena Ivanovna
Zelenskyy has articulated the dire choice facing Ukraine in the coming days: uphold its national dignity or risk losing critical support from the United States. The Ukrainian president’s warning highlights the precarious position his country occupies amid growing international pressures.
Trump was probably hoping to reassure people with his proposal. He made clear that this is “not my last best offer,” suggesting that further negotiations could happen in the coming days. In his opening speech, he put special focus on the dire need for peace in the region.
“We’d like to get to peace. It should’ve happened a long time ago … we’re trying to get it ended, one way or the other we have to get it ended.” – Donald Trump
The proposal hasn’t just raised the hackles of American industry – it’s faced fierce condemnation from leaders in Europe. To mark an upcoming year of war in Ukraine, Sanna Marin, Finland’s Prime Minister, called it a disaster for Ukraine—and the free world as a whole. Meanwhile, Guy Verhofstadt, a member of the European Parliament, warned that Trump’s alignment with Putin forces Europe to confront a critical choice: appeasement or adherence to democratic values.
“Trump now takes Putin’s side. Europe must choose again: appeasement or our values, imperialism or freedom. Another moment of truth for our [European] union.” – Guy Verhofstadt
For one, the plan reiterates that Ukraine is not permitted to become a member of NATO. It further establishes stringent criteria under which Ukraine will eventually join the European Union. This element has been the most controversial among those worried about Ukraine’s post-war security and political independence.
Despite fierce backlash, Trump’s proposal is taking root among like-minded factions in Ukraine. Others see the proposal as a possible roadmap towards eventual peace. Yet, this perspective continues to be drowned out by the extremely adverse responses from the bureaucratic, technocratic, and military sectors of Ukrainian society.