The United States and Ukraine have drafted a new 19-point peace plan that significantly diverges from the controversial 28-point proposal put forth by former President Donald Trump. This new initiative was announced on October 16, 2023, following discussions in Geneva and is designed to address ongoing tensions related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya expressed optimism about the new plan, stating that both nations felt “positive” regarding its direction. The revised agreement eliminates previous provisions that limited the size of Ukraine’s military and removes blanket amnesty for war crimes committed during the conflict. According to the Financial Times, Kyslytsya emphasized the stark differences between the new plan and the earlier version, asserting, “Very few things are left from the original version.”
The original 28-point proposal called for a significant reduction of Ukraine’s armed forces from 900,000 to 600,000 soldiers and demanded that Ukraine cede control of the Donbas region, which has been a point of contention for over a decade. Additionally, it sought to prevent Ukraine from pursuing NATO membership, offering only vague security guarantees.
Following discussions between Ukrainian officials and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Geneva, Kyslytsya confirmed that the idea of cutting Ukraine’s army was “no longer on the table.” The new plan aims to address the grievances of those affected by the war, marking a shift in the narrative surrounding accountability in the conflict.
While the new peace plan presents a foundation for potential negotiations, several critical issues remain unresolved. These include Russia’s territorial demands and its insistence that Ukraine refrain from joining NATO. Kyslytsya noted that these matters would need to be directly addressed in future discussions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In response to the developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated earlier on the same day that the previous 28-point plan could serve as a basis for a final peace settlement. He highlighted that the terms aligned with discussions he previously held with Trump during their summit in Alaska earlier this year. The Kremlin has expressed a desire to continue negotiations, though it remains uncertain how they will respond to the updated peace plan.
Kyslytsya remarked that it is now up to Russia to demonstrate genuine interest in achieving peace, stating, “It’s on the Russians to show if they are genuinely interested in peace or will find a thousand reasons not to engage.”
As the situation evolves, the international community is closely monitoring the developments and the potential implications for regional stability. The new peace plan represents a significant shift in negotiations and could pave the way for further dialogue between the involved parties.
