Volodymyr Zelensky will speak to Donald Trump after the US presented Ukraine with a draft peace plan to end the war with Russia.
The plan was reportedly drafted by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, without Ukraine's involvement.
In a statement, Zelensky's office said the US believed the draft plan could help reinvigorate diplomacy and added that Ukraine had agreed to work on the plan's provisions in a way that would bring about a just end to the war.
Kyiv supported all substantive proposals capable of bringing genuine peace closer, the statement said.
The Ukrainians did not share any details of what the proposal entails, although it reportedly includes plans for Kyiv to give up Donbas territories, significantly reduce its military, and forego many weapons.
If confirmed, these demands would lean heavily toward Moscow's interests, leading to Ukraine's lukewarm response.
The White House indicated that Trump was frustrated with both Russia and Ukraine for their inaction towards a peace agreement and that his team was working on a comprehensive peace plan.
However, Moscow minimized the plan's importance, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated there were no actual consultations with the US.
The meeting in Kyiv on Thursday saw Zelensky and US military leaders, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and other senior officials. Despite skepticism about the draft, Zelensky praised Trump’s and his team's efforts in seeking security for Europe.
Neither Ukraine nor its European allies were involved in the drafting of the plan, prompting various European ministers to caution against proposals made without consulting Kyiv or Brussels. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that any effective agreement must include voice and consent from Ukrainians and Europeans.
A senior US official disclosed that input was gathered from both countries on acceptable terms for an end to hostilities, with concessions expected from both sides, not just Ukraine.
Peskov highlighted the necessity of addressing the root causes of the conflict in any potential settlement, a demand that Ukraine views as yielding to Moscow.
Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko expressed that Ukraine was not consulted, stating the situation felt as though decisions were being made without their agency.
Since Trump commenced his second term earlier this year, he has been involved in multiple peace efforts, including direct talks with Putin and strategic meetings with Zelensky and Western leaders. Yet as the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches, significant disagreements remain regarding the resolution of the conflict.
Despite Ukraine's strategic advancements in targeting Russian military resources, attacks by Russia persist, with recent airstrikes leaving civilian casualties.
