U.S. reportedly pressures Ukraine to consider Trump-backed peace framework with Russia
Story by Susan Mbamah
The United States is pressuring Ukraine to accept a proposed framework put forward by President Donald Trump to end the nearly four-year war with Russia, with Washington reportedly warning that intelligence sharing and weapons deliveries could be reduced if Kyiv refuses, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.
One source told Reuters on Friday that Washington wants Ukraine to sign the framework agreement by next Thursday.
Ukraine confirmed on Thursday that it had received a new draft plan from the U.S., though it provided no details on the contents. Ukrainian officials said they were ready to review the proposal, noting that Washington believes the draft “could help reinvigorate diplomacy.”
READ ALSO: Russia launches massive air attacks on Ukraine’s cabinet building
Russia, meanwhile, said it has not received any formal documents and declined to respond to what it called inconsistent and contradictory media leaks about the plan.
“There is no point in commenting on conflicting leaks,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, adding that Moscow would only weigh in once official information is provided. “We have received no plans or drafts through official channels.”
The White House said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff have been in contact with both Kyiv and Moscow regarding the U.S.-backed initiative. Zakharova reiterated that Russia remains open to negotiations, saying discussions about resolving the conflict have continued at various levels despite the absence of any official documents related to the reported proposal.
According to Western media reports, the 28-point plan includes major concessions from Ukraine, including recognizing Russian sovereignty over Crimea, Donbass, and other territories currently occupied by Russian forces; significantly reducing the size of Ukraine’s military; relinquishing long-range weapons; and abandoning its bid for NATO membership.
Ukraine’s representation at the United Nations has already dismissed these key elements, though Deputy Permanent Representative Khristina Gayovyshyn said Kyiv is prepared to review and discuss the draft.
READ ALSO: Putin hits Ukraine with largest barrage of war after Trump call
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there had been “nothing new” in Russia-U.S. contacts regarding the war and insisted Moscow had received no indication that Ukraine had agreed to negotiate based on the U.S. proposal.
European leaders have also rejected the reported terms, arguing that any settlement must reflect the positions of both Kyiv and Brussels. The European Union is reportedly preparing a counterproposal more favorable to Ukraine.
Russian Military Claims Control of Kupyansk; Ukraine Denies
Amid the diplomatic maneuvering, Russia’s top military commander, Valery Gerasimov, announced that Russian forces have taken full control of the city of Kupyansk, a key logistical center near the Oskol River in northeastern Ukraine.
“Formations of the West grouping have liberated the city of Kupyansk,” Gerasimov said during a briefing with President Vladimir Putin.
Putin praised Russian troops, claiming that about 15 Ukrainian battalions were encircled in and around the area.
Ukraine flatly denied the assertion, stating that “Kupyansk is under the control of Ukraine’s defense forces,” and rejected Russian claims of major setbacks in Volchansk and Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk).
Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022 after recognizing the breakaway territories of Donetsk and Luhansk and accusing Kyiv of failing to implement the Minsk agreements. President Putin has maintained that one of the goals of the campaign is to “de-Nazify” Ukraine.
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