A stark contrast unfolded on Thursday in Kyiv and Moscow. While a US Pentagon delegation met President Zelensky to discuss a draft plan to end the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared on state TV in military attire, emphasizing continued military operations.
“We have our tasks, our goals,” Putin said, adding that achieving the objectives of the special military operation remained the top priority. Yet, Russian media framed his visit to a command post as a message to the US that Moscow is open to negotiations—on its terms.
On Friday, Putin acknowledged reviewing the US peace proposal for Ukraine. Speaking at a Russian security council meeting, he described it as a “modernized” version of a plan discussed with former President Trump in Alaska, suggesting it could serve as a foundation for a final settlement.
Leaked drafts indicate Ukraine might have to cede parts of the Donbass, reduce its armed forces, and commit to not joining NATO. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia’s military successes should encourage Kyiv to accept a deal promptly.
However, a peace plan doesn’t guarantee peace. Pro-Kremlin outlets remain confident that Russia will ultimately prevail. Moskovsky Komsomolets described the proposal as a “jack-in-the-box” emerging from diplomatic stagnation but warned that European and Ukrainian resistance could limit its impact.
Russia, meanwhile, faces mounting pressures. The war has inflicted heavy military losses, strained the economy, and reduced oil and gas revenues. Nezavisimaya Gazeta highlighted stagnation across Russian industry, raising questions about whether these pressures might push Putin to settle—even on terms favorable to Moscow.
Some aspects of the peace proposal remain controversial, particularly security guarantees for Ukraine modeled on NATO’s Article 5, which could commit Western allies to respond to any future Russian aggression. Moskovsky Komsomolets called it “Ukraine in NATO, without bases or weapons deployed.”
As details of the plan remain uncertain, international diplomacy may intensify in the coming weeks. For now, the conflict in Ukraine continues, with no immediate end in sight.
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