U.S. and Ukraine agree on ceasefire plan…territorial issues to be decided by leaders

Revised ceasefire plan reflects Ukraine's demands

Key issues deferred to leaders' summit

Russia and Ukraine hold talks in Abu Dhabi

The United States and Ukraine have prepared a new ceasefire peace plan that reflects Ukraine's views. However, core issues such as territory and security are to be decided by the two presidents. Attention is focused on whether Russia will accept the two countries' final agreement.

On the 25th, the Financial Times (FT), citing Serhii Kyslytsia, Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister, reported that the United States and Ukraine have drafted a new peace agreement outline consisting of 19 items. The content has been scaled down from the 28-item ceasefire plan created by the Trump administration.

The United States and Ukraine held delegation talks in Geneva, Switzerland on the 23rd to discuss the ceasefire plan. Both countries evaluated the negotiation results positively. Deputy Kyslytsia said, "It was intense but productive," and added, "An outcome was produced that both sides can view positively." The White House also viewed the possibility of an agreement optimistically. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt explained, "Most of the (peace plan) provisions have been agreed upon and only a few disagreements remain."

The new ceasefire plan is reported to have reflected many of Ukraine's previous demands. The U.S. proposal earlier included Ukraine ceding territory, reducing its military power, and a policy barring NATO membership for Ukraine. These were mostly conditions Ukraine rejected as crossing their 'red lines.' Deputy Kyslytsia said, "The U.S. appears willing to withdraw the policy of limiting Ukraine's military to 600,000 personnel," adding, "A completely new proposal has emerged." According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the previously stated phrase blocking further NATO expansion has also been softened.

However, the most sensitive matters were left for the two leaders to decide. FT reported, "Issues such as territorial matters and relations among NATO, the U.S., and Russia have been placed in brackets in the ceasefire plan so that President Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky can sign them together." The White House said there is no meeting scheduled this week between President Trump and President Zelensky.

It is uncertain whether Russia will accept the revised ceasefire conditions. The Kremlin, through a statement, said it had seen Europe's counterproposal to the U.S. plan and criticized the European proposal as unconstructive. Europe is reported to have requested, after the U.S. released the draft, a freeze of the front lines, deferral of territorial issues for future discussion, and collective-defense-style security for Ukraine. According to Reuters, on the 24th, Daniel Driscoll, U.S. Secretary of the Army, met with Russian government officials in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Secretary Driscoll is also scheduled to meet with Ukrainian officials while in Abu Dhabi. The talks are expected to continue through the 25th.

Reporter Han Myung-hyun wise@hankyung.com