Exclusive: US peace plan for Ukraine drew from Russian document, sources say
The US-backed 28-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine significantly drew from a Russian-authored document submitted to the Trump administration in October 2025. This Russian “non-paper” outlined Moscow’s conditions for ending the conflict, including territorial concessions that Ukraine had already rejected. The US incorporated elements from this document despite skepticism from senior officials about Ukraine’s acceptance of such terms.
This Russian document was given to senior US officials in mid-October after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington. The plan was titled as a US initiative but heavily reflected Russian interests, including calls for Ukraine to relinquish territory in the east and limit its military capabilities, which Ukraine opposes.
Following backlash and internal debates, the original plan was revised, removing or altering some Russia-favored points through negotiations involving US, Ukrainian, and European representatives. Although there were concerns the plan rewarded Russia’s invasion, the US administration sought to present it as a balanced framework for peace talks.
Top US officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the US authorship of the peace plan while acknowledging input from Russia and Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia also praised the plan as a potential basis for ending the conflict. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has expressed cautious openness to negotiations but rejected any terms that betray Ukraine’s interests.
The peace plan originated from efforts by US diplomats shortly after they brokered a ceasefire in Gaza, showing an attempt to replicate a negotiated end to hostilities in Ukraine. However, its origins in a Russian document have led to domestic and international controversy, revisions, and ongoing negotiations aimed at an equitable resolution.
This confirms that the US peace initiative for Ukraine closely incorporated a Russian-authored document outlining Moscow’s demands but underwent modifications in response to Ukrainian and Western concerns.
