The 28-point peace plan circulating between Washington and Moscow did not land well. It has been overwhelmingly rejected across Europe, rated as “will require work” by G20 leaders, panned by U.S. senators and House members of both parties, shredded by Ukrainian-American organizations, and denounced by American foreign policy establishment. The New York Times called it “terrifying,” The Wall Street Journal editorial denounced it as “an ultimatum”.
Ukraine would be asked to amend their constitution to renounce NATO membership in perpetuity. Ukraine would surrender territory defended so far at tremendous human cost. The military would be cut from roughly 880,000 to 600,000 troops. Not downsized for peace, but shrunk during an ongoing invasion. Ukrainian officials are direct: such a reduction would guarantee future territorial losses, not peace.
This opening bid is designed to collapse through successive rounds of “compromise.” As the initial package has been rejected, pressure will intensify. New deadlines will come. New proposals will follow, each slightly less onerous, each accompanied by urgent appeals to “be realistic.” The temptation will be tremendous to accept terms that seem better than the original proposal, even if they remain unacceptable. The months ahead will test Ukraine again. It is when revised proposals arrive with escalated pressure and narrowing options that the real negotiations begin. That is when it will matter most to remember what the red lines actually are.
Nova Ukraine and its leadership remain vigilant and continue US-based advocacy for Ukraine in support of US national interests.
Ambassador Erin E. McKee, CEO: “Ukraine’s independence is not a charity project. It is a strategic necessity for European security and therefore a vital American interest. Any peace agreement must be built with Ukraine and Europe at the table from the start. A Ukraine forced into a frozen conflict, militarily weakened, and without genuine security guarantees will eventually be dominated by Russia again, with consequences far beyond its borders. This is about American national security.”
Nick Bilogorskiy, Chairman of the Board: “We’ve seen this negotiating playbook before. Initial maximalist demands are presented as ‘compromise.’ We resist, pressure increases, and then slightly less onerous terms arrive with new deadlines. The question is whether the world will stay focused on principle or be worn down by successive rounds of pressure. We will not accept Ukraine’s capitulation disguised as pragmatism.”
Dr. Igor Markov, Board Director: “This proposal was drafted as if Ukraine and Europe don’t matter. But Ukraine’s voice remains essential. Any viable peace must include Ukraine’s right to self-determination on alliance membership, military capabilities sufficient to defend against future aggression, and genuine territory negotiations, not surrender. Europe’s interests in frozen assets and sanctions policy cannot be bargaining chips in a U.S.-Russia negotiation without European consent.”
Nova Ukraine remains steadfast in four pillars: HEAL Ukrainian communities wounded by war, BUILD the infrastructure for recovery and resilience, EMPOWER Ukrainians to shape their own future, and ADVOCATE so the world remains engaged in Ukraine’s struggle for independence. We will not retreat from these principles, even as pressure mounts. A real peace can only be built with Ukraine and Europe at the table, with both sides making genuine concessions, and with security arrangements that actually protect rather than simply freeze conflict.
Anything less isn’t peace. It’s a pause. And pauses purchased by surrender are capitulation. Ukraine and the world deserve better – we all deserve an enduring peace.
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