By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A leaked 28-point peace plan drafted by the Trump administration, revealed by Axios, proposes significant concessions from Ukraine. The plan, which includes territorial losses, limitations on the Ukrainian armed forces, and a commitment to not joining NATO, is being pushed on an “aggressive timeline”. The plan envisions the de facto recognition of Crimea and parts of the Donbas region as Russian territory, while also freezing the situation in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. The document, which was discussed with both Ukrainian and Russian officials, outlines a comprehensive non-aggression agreement and envisions the reintegration of Russia into the global economy.
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Axios reveals text of peace plan: Ukraine to relinquish its territories permanently, Russia to receive amnesty. It seems a very simple premise, doesn’t it? Russia gets what it wants, and Ukraine… well, Ukraine gets the short end of the stick. No guarantees, no meaningful protections, just a setup for the next act of aggression a few years down the line. It’s a deal that feels fundamentally wrong, and the details only make it worse.
The size of Ukraine’s Armed Forces being capped at 600,000, for example, feels designed to cripple Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. And if Ukraine were to target Moscow or St. Petersburg with a missile “without cause,” the security guarantees evaporate. It’s hard not to see these as blatant attempts to set up a situation where false flags can be used to further undermine Ukraine’s position. This feels like appeasement, a poisonous chalice being offered under the guise of peace. And the amnesty for Russia? It’s like something straight out of a dystopian novel. Where is the accountability?
Looking at the bigger picture, this isn’t just a deal between Ukraine and Russia. It seems to involve NATO as well, but this is a partnership which would never work. This whole “peace plan” seems disconnected from reality, as if it ignores the historical context of Russia’s actions. It echoes the Munich Agreement, a failed attempt to appease a dictator that only emboldened him.
The plan appears to undermine Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. Russia cares so much about Ukraine joining NATO because they want to control and dictate the future of the Ukrainian people. This whole situation smacks of a psychological operation, with the promise of a Nobel Peace Prize dangled in front of someone to turn them against Ukraine. It’s as if the world has forgotten the basic principle of not negotiating with terrorists, and instead, is simply writing down their demands and presenting them as a peace plan.
The idea of Ukraine relinquishing the Donbas fortifications is particularly disheartening. It’s close to unconditional surrender, leaving Ukraine vulnerable. It’s a pardon for Russia and a punishment for Ukraine. The proposal also includes a comprehensive non-aggression agreement between Russia, Ukraine, and Europe, essentially wiping the slate clean and resolving all disputes from the past thirty years. It’s hard to believe this is being seriously considered.
It’s astonishing that this plan involves the US negotiating for all of NATO and Europe. It’s hard to ignore the feeling that classic Russian maximalist demands are being met and that some are foolishly going along with it. It raises questions about the US’s approach and its commitment to fairness. If Russia is receiving amnesty, has it even admitted to any wrongdoing, let alone war crimes?
Considering all of this, what does this plan say to Poland and the Baltic States? This is not a peace plan, but a surrender. Why aren’t we giving Ukraine the tools they need to push these criminals back to where they started? Let’s be clear: this allows Russia to rebuild its economy and prepare for another invasion. Ukraine should be the one to propose the peace agreement, with clear red lines and demands.
The most important of these demands should be no limitations on Ukraine’s military, no limitations on foreign troops, and no limits on alliances. The focus should be on *de facto* control of territory, buffer zones, international observers, sanctions, reparations, and time frames for alliances. Sanctions should remain in place until reparations are paid. We should not be in a hurry to normalize relations with Russia. We can freeze Russian assets and use them for reparations until the end of time.
This plan appears to be precisely what Russia would want. This reads more like surrender than peace. The US seems to be acting as a stand-in for Russia, pushing for terms that are entirely favorable to the aggressor. Is this a joke? This is not peace, this is a surrender. Russia should cede all gains and get out of Ukraine permanently. Safety guarantees must be put in place. Is anyone sure the US would honor its commitments if a war with Russia were to break out?