Kremlin forces carried out intensified assaults on Ukraine shortly after Kyiv endorsed significant European adjustments to the contentious 28-point US peace proposal. The overnight strikes resulted in numerous buildings and residences being hit by missiles, causing fires and injuring at least 19 civilians in retaliatory actions.
The latest Russian attacks targeted the Zaporizhzhia region following adjustments made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the pro-Kremlin peace recommendations. The original 28-point plan attributed to Donald Trump, widely believed to have originated from the Kremlin, prohibited Ukraine from NATO membership, handed over territory to Russia, and limited Ukraine’s military strength to 600,000 troops, proposing even more territorial concessions to Russia.
However, after revisions, a new agreement is expected to remove restrictions on Kyiv’s military size, promote a ceasefire before a final peace agreement, retain territorial control, and Zelensky expressed optimism about progressing towards peace. The plan also revealed that Steve Witkoff, Trump’s chief negotiator, advised a Putin aide on how to present the pro-Kremlin proposal, shedding light on Trump’s fluctuating stance on supporting Ukraine and apparent favoritism towards Putin’s military ambitions.
Witkoff suggested arranging a call between Trump and Putin before Zelenskyy’s White House visit and proposed that Putin commend Trump for the Gaza peace deal as a starting point for the call. Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, agreed to congratulate Trump, describing him as a proponent of peace. Witkoff is set to meet with Putin to discuss refining the peace plan, prompting criticism from U.S. Rep. Don Bacon for favoring Russian interests.
The original plan, which surfaced recently, appeared biased towards Russian demands, including territorial concessions by Ukraine and a commitment from Europe barring Ukraine from NATO membership. White House communications director Steven Cheung defended Witkoff’s frequent communication with Russian and Ukrainian officials to achieve peace, emphasizing Trump’s endorsement of his efforts. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that the proposal was crafted by the United States with inputs from both Russia and Ukraine.