U.S. Dismisses 'Joke' 28-Point Ukraine Peace Plan as Unrealistic Amid Kyiv's Corruption Crisis

A recently proposed 28-point peace plan for the conflict in Ukraine, reportedly drafted by Russian adviser Kirill Dmitriev and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, has been swiftly rejected by the U.S. government. A U.S. government source characterized the proposal as a "joke" with "no chance of succeeding," citing its alignment with Russia's maximalist demands and opportunistic timing amidst Ukraine's ongoing corruption crisis. These terms, according to the source, have been repeatedly rejected by the United States.

The alleged 28-point framework calls for significant concessions from Ukraine, including ceding territory in the Donbas region and Crimea, and substantially reducing the size of its military. Reports indicate the plan is heavily skewed in Russia's favor, aiming to freeze current battle lines and impose long-term limits on Ukraine's defense capabilities. Such provisions have been consistently opposed by Kyiv, which has vowed not to surrender any territory.

Kirill Dmitriev, an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Trump, reportedly developed the plan during recent meetings, including one in Miami. Dmitriev expressed optimism about the plan, stating that "the Russian position is really being heard." However, neither Washington nor Moscow has officially confirmed the plan's details, and its emergence has sparked concern among European allies not involved in its drafting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly ruled out any territorial concessions to Russia, emphasizing that "there can be no reward for waging war." European officials have also warned that any viable peace plan must include Ukrainian and European input, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stating that "the Ukrainians do not want any form of capitulation."

The peace proposal surfaces as Ukraine grapples with its most significant corruption scandal during wartime, impacting President Zelenskyy's inner circle. A multi-million-dollar kickback scheme in the energy sector, implicating a former business partner of Zelenskyy, has led to the dismissal of two ministers and sparked widespread public anger. This crisis has raised concerns about Ukraine's wartime unity and its standing with international donors.

The U.S. government source's dismissal of the peace plan highlights the perceived opportunism of its timing, leveraging both Russian battlefield gains and Ukraine's internal political vulnerabilities. The confluence of maximalist Russian demands and a domestic corruption crisis in Ukraine presents significant obstacles to any peace initiative not aligned with Kyiv's sovereignty and territorial integrity.