Painful Concessions.. On the Map, What Will Kyiv Lose to Moscow?

While the White House described the US peace plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine as "good and acceptable to both sides," Kyiv does not seem to be in an enviable position.

Several observers noted that the leaked details of the US plan over the past two days would impose "painful" concessions on Ukraine.

The plan includes Kyiv's abandonment of the Crimean Peninsula and the Donbas region in the east of the country, including Donetsk, as well as the cities of Mariupol, Makivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk. Additionally, it includes Luhansk and the cities of Alchevsk, Sievierodonetsk, and Lysychansk.

Donbas is located on the border with Russia and is considered the heart of Ukraine's heavy industry.

Kherson and Zaporizhzhia

Furthermore, the US plan stipulates that the front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia be frozen at the current contact line.

It also includes Ukraine's agreement to limit its army to 600,000 personnel, a reduction of hundreds of thousands, according to Axios reported last night.

Additionally, the 28-point US proposal indicated the stationing of European fighter jets in Poland to protect Ukraine, but without deploying any NATO forces within Ukrainian territory.

Kyiv will also agree to never join the military alliance.

The presence of foreign troops on Ukrainian soil will not be allowed, a condition that excludes any peacekeeping force led by Britain and France after the agreement.

It also stipulates holding parliamentary and presidential elections in Ukraine after 100 days.

Security Guarantees

In return, the United States will provide security guarantees to Kyiv. In this context, a US official clarified that the draft peace agreement includes a commitment from the United States and its European allies to provide security guarantees to Kyiv similar to those of NATO, pledging to respond to any future attacks against it.

Additionally, $100 billion of frozen Russian assets will be allocated for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The path will also be opened for Russia's reintegration into the global economy, including lifting sanctions in the future, according to the Associated Press.

"Our land is not for sale"

However, some Ukrainian officials considered that this document effectively means the end of Ukraine's existence as an independent state.

Kristina Hayovychin, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, confirmed that "her country is ready to enter into serious negotiations to end the war, but its red lines are clear and firm." She added, "There will be no recognition, officially or unofficially, of Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia as Russian... Our land is not for sale."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that he has reviewed the proposal and is in discussions with Washington and allies regarding ending the war.

Zelensky also held talks yesterday with a high-level US military delegation led by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. Driscoll, a former study colleague of US Vice President JD Vance, arrived in Kyiv carrying important messages from the White House, according to US sources.

Driscoll is expected to travel to Moscow next weekend to discuss the plan with the Kremlin as well.

However, some observers noted that Zelensky's position is precarious and not enviable, considering that recent corruption issues involving close associates have weakened his stance.

It is noteworthy that if this plan is actually implemented, it will lead to a reduction of Ukraine's sovereignty over its territory by abandoning Crimea and Donbas, which means accepting a permanent geographical division of its lands.

Ukraine will also be placed in the category of "permanent neutrality," with the condition of not joining NATO, which is an old Russian demand.

As for Russia, it will be reintegrated globally politically and economically, with discussions about lifting sanctions against it.