Witkoff to urge Putin to abandon idea of Ukraine's demilitarization – Bloomberg
Photo: Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
The United States will insist that Russia recognize Ukraine’s right to maintain its own military and defense industry as part of a peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, Bloomberg reports.
US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to raise this issue during an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the war in Ukraine.
According to the media outlet, this indicates that the Trump administration is seeking concessions from both the Kremlin and Ukraine to bring the war to an end. However, agreeing that Kyiv should have a properly equipped and staffed army would require Putin to abandon his goal of demilitarizing Ukraine, which was one of his main stated aims in the war.
The Trump administration also wants Moscow to return the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Ukraine, which Russia seized at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. According to Bloomberg sources, the plant would then be placed under US control to supply energy to both sides. They noted that the details of the plan are still being finalized and may change.
In addition, the US reportedly seeks the return of territory in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region currently occupied by Russia. However, Putin is demanding recognition of all territory within the Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson regions, despite the fact that Russia has not fully captured them.
Bloomberg attempted to obtain comments on the US plan from the National Security Council, the State Department, and Witkoff, but received no response.
US peace plan
Recently, the United States has actively participated in the negotiation process aimed at resolving Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Washington Post recently reported that the US has prepared its own peace plan for an agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
According to the agency, the plan includes the possibility of recognizing Crimea as Russian and Ukraine’s renunciation of its territories and NATO. In exchange, Russia would halt military operations, effectively leading to a frozen conflict.
Yesterday, Donald Trump stated that an agreement with Russia on peace had been reached, and now it’s Kyiv's turn. He emphasized that Russia is ready for talks and a peace agreement, but negotiating with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is more challenging.
Additionally, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin on Friday, April 25, for talks about ending the war in Ukraine and discussing the US proposals on the matter.
