The contours of the United States of America’s “final” peace proposal to halt the Russian invasion of Ukraine have emerged.
The proposal, among other talks among European leaders focus on freezing the frontlines in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
A draft version of the US proposal seen by Axios and the Telegraph reported that Russia would receive de jure recognition of Moscow’s control of Crimea, de facto recognition of Russia’s occupation of much of eastern Ukraine, and a promise that Ukraine would not become a member of NATO (although it could join the European Union, EU).
Also, according to the report, Ukraine would retain control over the Zaporizhzhia power plant but it would be managed by the United States, which would supply electricity to both Ukraine and Russia.
Three people with knowledge of the ongoing talks to end the war told the Guardian UK that Russian President, Vladimir Putin had signalled a readiness to effectively freeze the frontlines of the conflict in exchange for the concessions.
According to Financial Tines, apart from recognising Russian control of Crimea, US would also grant Russia considerable sanctions relief.
Recall that the Vice president of the United States, JD Vance, confirmed on Wednesday that his country would seek to “freeze the territorial lines at some level close to where they are today”, adding that some territory could change hands.
“The current lines, or somewhere close to them, is where you’re ultimately … going to draw the new lines in the conflict.
“Now, of course, that means the Ukrainians and the Russians are both going to have to give up some of the territory they currently own,” he said.
But reports of the US proposal do not include other Kremlin demands, including a limit on the future size of the Ukrainian military or a ban on foreign troops in the country.
Sanctioning relief for Russia in its energy sector, could enable the Kremlin to increase vital revenue flows that have been impeded since the invasion.
Ukraine, in turn, would receive a “robust security guarantee” from an ad hoc group of European nations, although the draft did not describe how a peacekeeping force would operate or whether the US would take part.
Ukraine would also be promised unimpeded passage on the Dnipro River and some territory in the Kharkiv region, along with vaguely defined pledges for future financial support for rebuilding.
