By SCM Staff Writer
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A comprehensive 28-point framework aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and resetting European security, devised in coordination between U.S. and Russian figures, has been circulated, outlining significant concessions from Kyiv that have been previously rejected by Ukrainian leadership.
The detailed document, known as the Witkoff Peace Proposal, reportedly incorporates key demands from Moscow, including formal stipulations regarding Ukraine’s future security status and territorial integrity.
It suggests a dramatic shift in policy that could put immense pressure on Kyiv to accept terms that curtail its sovereign decision-making for the sake of an immediate ceasefire and long-term security guarantees.
Core Tenets and Controversial Points
The proposal is structured across four main sections: Sovereignty, Security, and NATO; Territorial and Military Measures; Economic Agreements; and Humanitarian and Political Provisions.
Among the most contentious points are the provisions related to NATO and territory:
NATO Neutrality: Ukraine would be required to constitutionally commit not to join NATO, with the alliance formally agreeing to bar Ukraine’s membership.
Furthermore, NATO would commit not to station troops in Ukraine.
Territorial Demarcation: The plan calls for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from remaining Kyiv-held areas of Donetsk to form a demilitarized buffer zone, with this area to be recognized as Russian territory. Both sides would then pledge not to change any new territorial arrangements by force.
Security Guarantees and New Architecture
Despite the limits on NATO membership, the framework seeks to establish a new security architecture for Ukraine and Europe. Key provisions include:
Affirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and establishing a non-aggression pact between Russia, Ukraine, and Europe.
Providing U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine.
Creating a U.S.-mediated Russia–NATO security dialogue and a joint U.S.–Russia working group to monitor compliance.
Capping Ukraine’s armed forces at 600,000 troops.
Committing both Russia (legally codified) and NATO not to expand further or invade neighboring countries.
Economic and Political Reintegration
The economic dimensions of the proposal outline a path for Russian reintegration alongside a massive reconstruction fund for Ukraine:
Reconstruction Fund: The plan proposes using $100 billion of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction, with the United States receiving 50% of the profits. Europe would contribute an additional $100 billion.
Russian Reintegration: The remaining frozen Russian assets would fund joint U.S.–Russia investment projects, leading to Russia’s phased reintegration into the global economy and an invitation to return to the G8.
Other economic agreements include a Russian guarantee for Ukraine’s free commercial use of the Dnieper River and agreements on Black Sea grain transport.
Oversight by a ‘Peace Council’
In a unique political feature, the framework proposes making the agreement legally binding, to be overseen by a “Peace Council” chaired by President Donald Trump.
This council would be responsible for monitoring compliance and imposing sanctions or penalties for violations.
The political provisions also include granting full wartime amnesty to all parties and holding Ukrainian elections within 100 days of the agreement’s signing.
The emergence of this detailed plan signals high-level discussions seeking a resolution to the conflict, but the required territorial and constitutional concessions from Ukraine will undoubtedly spark intense debate in Kyiv and among Western allies. The immediate next step required is a ceasefire and mutual withdrawal to agreed lines.
Witkoff’s Peace Proposal
Sovereignty, Security, and NATO
1. Affirm Ukraine’s sovereignty
2. Establish a non-aggression pact between Russia, Ukraine, and Europe
3. Commit that Russia will not invade neighboring countries and NATO will not expand further
4. Create a U.S.-mediated Russia–NATO security dialogue
5. Provide U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine
6. Cap Ukraine’s armed forces at 600,000 troops
7. Ukraine must constitutionally commit not to join NATO; NATO formally bars membership
8. NATO agrees not to station troops in Ukraine
9. Station European fighter jets in Poland.
10. Form a U.S.–Russia working group to monitor security compliance
11. Russia legally codifies a non-aggression policy toward Ukraine and Europe
12. Strengthen or extend nuclear arms-control treaties
13. Ukraine remains a non-nuclear state
Territorial and Military Measures
14. Ukrainian forces withdraw from remaining Kyiv-held areas of Donetsk to form a demilitarized buffer zone recognized as Russian territory
15. Both sides pledge not to change any new territorial arrangements by force
Economic Agreements
16. Russia guarantees Ukraine free commercial use of the Dnieper River
17. Establish agreements on Black Sea grain transport
Humanitarian and Political Provisions
18. Create a humanitarian committee to: exchange prisoners and bodies, return civilian detainees/hostages, reunite separated families, and support war victims
19. Ukraine holds elections within 100 days of signing
20. Grant full wartime amnesty to all parties
Compliance
21. Make the agreement legally binding, overseen by a ‘Peace Council’ chaired by Trump
22. Impose sanctions or penalties for violations monitored by the Peace Council
23. Immediate ceasefire and mutual withdrawal to agreed lines
Economic and Political Reintegration
24. Use $100 billion of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction, with the U.S. receiving 50% of profits
25. Europe contributes an additional $100 billion for reconstruction
26. Remaining frozen Russian assets fund joint U.S.–Russia investment projects
27. Russia’s phased reintegration into the global economy
28. Invite Russia back into the G8
