Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the controversial US peace proposal tied to Donald Trump has been significantly revised, with many of the most problematic demands removed after days of intensive talks. Zelensky confirmed that the original 28-point plan — heavily criticized in Kyiv and across Europe — has been slimmed down and reshaped into a more realistic framework.
“The plan, which originally featured 28 items, was slimmed down, and many of the right elements have been taken into account. Now the list of necessary steps to end the war can become doable. Our team has reported on the new draft of steps, and this is indeed the right approach – I will discuss the sensitive issues with President Trump,” Zelensky said.
The initial 28-point proposal caused alarm because it reportedly required Ukraine to consider territorial concessions, limit its military, and halt its path toward NATO — terms closely resembling Russia’s long-standing demands. After several rounds of negotiations in Geneva between Ukrainian, US, and European officials, the revised draft now circulating in capitals is substantially different from the leaked version. Sources familiar with the process say the new working text contains roughly 19 points, removes explicit territorial handovers, no longer demands that Ukraine abandon NATO membership, and softens clauses concerning military limits and blanket amnesties for war crimes. US officials describe the document as a fluid “living” draft that will continue to evolve through consultations.
Despite the changes, Zelensky has reiterated that Ukraine’s fundamental red lines remain unchanged: no recognition of Russia’s territorial gains, security guarantees that prevent future aggression, and full accountability for Russia’s actions, including compensation through frozen Russian assets.
Moscow has cautiously welcomed the US framework, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying the “American, Trump project” is the only substantive initiative currently on the table and could serve as a basis for negotiations. Russia has not yet received the updated draft but previously signalled that the original version was, in broad terms, acceptable to Moscow — a fact that heightened Ukrainian concerns.
The revised proposal emerges against the backdrop of mounting pressure on Kyiv, both from intensifying Russian strikes and from political timelines in Washington. Zelensky has warned that Ukraine faces one of the toughest moments of the war, describing the pressure as “among the heaviest” since the full-scale invasion. He has said the country may be approaching a difficult crossroads between “loss of dignity” and the risk of losing a key partner if negotiations stall.
As news surfaced of quiet US–Russia talks in Abu Dhabi, the urgency around the plan grew. The discreet channel, led on the US side by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, is believed to be testing Russia’s bottom lines ahead of any potential settlement. Meanwhile, European leaders maintain that no agreement is acceptable without Ukraine’s consent and warn against any deal that would solidify Russian territorial gains or undermine international norms.
Zelensky’s next step is a direct discussion with President Trump on the remaining unresolved questions — including the status of occupied territories, security guarantees, and the fate of frozen Russian assets. The meeting is expected to determine whether the revised draft can move forward as a genuine roadmap to peace or whether further negotiations will be required.
For now, Kyiv is presenting the slimmer, reworked document as a cautiously positive development. While much remains uncertain, Zelensky’s message is clear: for the first time, the framework on the table may be one Ukraine can realistically work with — provided it does not cross the country’s essential red lines of sovereignty, justice and long-term security.
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