Washington and Kyiv have hashed out a new peace plan that’s finally starting to look like something Ukraine can stomach.
The New York Post reported that after contentious earlier drafts, the United States and Ukrainian officials have crafted a revised framework with 19 points, stripping away demands that many saw as capitulation to Moscow’s overreaching wishes.
This saga started with a 28-point proposal that had Ukraine ceding territory in the Donbas region—land Russia hasn’t fully taken despite over a decade of conflict—and even abandoning NATO aspirations.
That initial plan, often called a Russian “wish list” by both American and Ukrainian officials, also pushed for slashing Ukraine’s military from over 2 million to a mere 600,000. It’s no surprise that Kyiv balked at such terms.
Sunday talks in Geneva, involving US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian leaders, marked a turning point. The new 19-point draft emerged, dropping the territorial concessions and NATO-related demands that had previously soured the deal.
Even better, the revised plan scraps limits on Ukraine’s army size and rejects a blanket amnesty for war crimes committed during the invasion. Instead, it reportedly focuses on addressing the suffering of those impacted by the conflict, a move that feels like a nod to justice over expediency.
President Volodymyr Zelensky noted, “Now the list of necessary steps to end the war can become doable.” He’s right to be cautiously optimistic—fewer points mean less room for Moscow’s meddling, though he also warned of Russia’s potential to sabotage the process.
Zelensky didn’t mince words about the challenges ahead, predicting that Russia might try to “derail this opportunity for an agreement and to prolong the war.” If history is any guide, he’s spot on—Moscow has a track record of stalling when it suits them.
He also called out disinformation campaigns aimed at weakening Ukraine’s position, a reminder that information warfare is as real as the boots on the ground. It’s a stark warning to the West: stay sharp, because narratives can be weaponized just as easily as tanks.
Meanwhile, the plan isn’t set in stone as of Monday afternoon, with some sticking points still under discussion. Secretary of State Rubio called it a “living, breathing document,” suggesting there’s wiggle room yet. That’s diplomat-speak for “we’re not done arguing,” but at least it’s progress.
Rubio remains upbeat, insisting that the remaining hurdles aren’t insurmountable. That’s a refreshing change from the usual gloom and doom, though time will tell if optimism translates to signatures.
Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya echoed this positivity, noting that very few elements of the original plan remain. It’s a relief to see both sides finding common ground, especially after starting from such a lopsided “wish list” that seemed more like a surrender than a settlement.
The White House, through press secretary Karoline Leavitt, expressed hope about the revised framework, even if earlier deadlines for a Thanksgiving signing have slipped. No plans for Zelensky to visit Washington before the holiday have been confirmed, which might signal lingering caution.
One thing is clear: this new draft is a far cry from the initial proposal that had conservatives and freedom-lovers alike raising eyebrows. Forcing Ukraine to shrink its defenses or cede land felt like rewarding aggression, a policy no one with a spine could support.
Still, while the 19-point plan looks more balanced, the devil’s always in the details, and negotiations between President Trump and Zelensky on territorial issues are yet to come. It’s a tightrope walk—supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty without escalating tensions into a broader conflict is the kind of pragmatic leadership conservatives crave.
