Putin Comments on Trump's Peace Proposal Amid Ukraine Ultimatum

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed a conditional openness to a peace proposal put forth by former US President Donald Trump, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference in Kyrgyzstan, Putin indicated that the plan could provide a foundation for future discussions, yet simultaneously issued a stern ultimatum regarding Ukraine's military presence in contested territories.

Putin confirmed that a modified version of the peace proposal, which had been discussed between the United States and Ukraine in Geneva, had been delivered to Russia. He acknowledged that the United States had taken some of Russia's concerns into account when formulating the plan. "In general, we agree that this can be the basis for future agreements," he stated, but insisted that several specific issues require further dialogue.

However, Putin's willingness to engage in talks was coupled with a demand for Ukrainian troops to withdraw from the territories currently under their control. He warned that failure to comply would result in Russia pursuing its objectives through military means. Furthermore, he labelled the Ukrainian leadership as illegitimate, citing the government's refusal to conduct elections following the end of President Volodymyr Zelensky's term. Putin argued that this absence of legitimate governance renders any agreement with Ukraine legally unfeasible.

In addition, he stressed that the international community should recognise Russia's territorial claims in Ukraine, complicating the diplomatic landscape.

Controversial Nature of Trump's Proposal

The peace plan promoted by the Trump administration has faced considerable criticism, with detractors labelling it as heavily skewed in favour of Russian interests. Various political figures from both the Republican and Democratic parties in the United States have described the leaked details of the proposal as akin to a "Russian wish list."

Initial reports suggested that the plan required significant territorial concessions from Ukraine, including the cession of the entire Donbas region to Russia and an acknowledgment of Russian sovereignty over Crimea. This would effectively freeze the conflict along existing frontlines in contested areas such as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. The proposal also called for a substantial reduction in Ukraine’s military capabilities and a prohibition on the presence of foreign troops or long-range weaponry on Ukrainian soil. A pivotal aspect of the plan was a stipulation that Ukraine would be permanently barred from joining the NATO military alliance, a key factor cited by Russian leaders in justifying the war.

Response from Ukraine's Leadership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now facing significant pressure to respond to these developments. He previously described the draft proposal as presenting an "impossible choice" between sacrificing national dignity or jeopardising a crucial alliance with the United States. Acknowledging the severe toll of the ongoing conflict, he remarked, "Even the strongest metal can break."

Following negotiations facilitated by Ukraine's European allies with the US, the original draft of the proposal has reportedly been revised, reducing its points from 28 to 19. Ukrainian officials have indicated that Kyiv is prepared to proceed with the amended plan, ready to discuss remaining sensitive issues directly with President Trump.

Despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts, the conflict persists on the ground, underscoring the challenges of reaching a resolution. Recent reports indicate a significant Russian drone strike causing damage to residential areas in Zaporizhzhia, highlighting the urgency of the situation.