(LONDON) – A leaked United States proposal, reportedly linked to advisers around president Donald Trump, has sparked widespread criticism for suggesting sweeping concessions by Ukraine to the Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin. The 28 point outline, first reported by Axios, has been described by international campaigner Sir Bill Browder as “fantasy football” and a plan with “no chance” of being accepted by Kyiv, European governments or the American public.
The framework is understood to include the formal recognition of Russian control over the Donbas region and Crimea, the demilitarisation of parts of eastern Ukraine, major reductions in Ukraine’s military capability and the removal of long range weapons capable of striking Russian territory. It also reportedly calls for enhanced protections for the Russian language and the Russian Orthodox Church inside Ukraine. In return, the United States would offer Kyiv security assurances against future aggression.
Browder argued the plan is unrealistic, warning that Ukraine would never accept forced territorial concessions and that Europe would firmly reject any deal that rewards military aggression. He also noted that even Putin himself would be unlikely to accept it, framing the leak instead as an attempt by Moscow to stall US discussions on significant new sanctions targeting Russia’s oil trade.
The timing of the leak coincided with reports that US Special Presidential Envoy General Keith Kellogg, long seen as one of the few pro Ukraine voices in Trump’s immediate circle, is expected to leave his role in January. Kellogg has repeatedly advised Trump that Putin is not negotiating in good faith and that Kyiv must not be pressured into giving up its land. His departure has raised concerns about diminishing pro Ukraine influence around Trump.
In recent months Trump has sent mixed signals about Ukraine. At the United Nations General Assembly he stated that Kyiv could reclaim its occupied territory with Western support and described Russia as a “paper tiger”. However, Browder argued that Trump’s shifting position risked creating opportunities for the Kremlin. Each time Washington edges closer to tough sanctions — especially restrictions on Russian oil buyers in China, India and Türkiye — Moscow responds with gestures designed to delay decisions, he said.
Browder warned that such tactics may again prompt Trump to hesitate on oil sanctions, which he believes are essential to curbing Russia’s ability to finance its invasion. He noted that when Trump previously raised the possibility of targeting foreign buyers of Russian oil, Putin travelled unexpectedly to Alaska for undisclosed discussions, after which the pressure eased.
Key details of the drafting process have also caused alarm. The outline was reportedly shaped by US businessman Steve Witkoff, who held extensive discussions with a Russian representative. Ukrainian officials were barely consulted, according to the report, despite the fact that their territory and sovereignty are the subject of negotiation. Browder said this exclusion reflects “tone deaf” thinking and ignores the reality that Ukraine is defending its own land against invasion.
Observers noted that the proposal closely mirrors a 2022 Russian “peace plan” which required Ukraine to renounce NATO membership, accept territorial losses and significantly reduce its military capability. Western leaders dismissed that proposal as unacceptable, and Browder stressed that the new outline is essentially identical, not a softened version.
Browder argued that Witkoff’s involvement has repeatedly complicated diplomatic efforts. He cited the failed Anchorage summit proposal as an example where US outreach, shaped by advisers unfamiliar with the realities of the conflict, ultimately benefited the Kremlin. He said the current leak risks legitimising demands that would amount to Ukraine’s surrender.
On Kyiv’s own position, Browder said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains focused on stopping Russian attacks rather than granting long term concessions. Recent Russian strikes have killed civilians, including 25 people in a single night. He warned that surrendering territory would not end the violence, but embolden the Kremlin to impose even harsher repression on occupied areas.
A ceasefire remains unlikely. Zelenskyy has previously indicated he would consider a temporary freeze only if Russia halted its attacks immediately, but Putin has rejected any such condition. Browder insisted that Moscow has no intention of ending the war and is instead focused solely on preventing severe US sanctions on its oil revenues.
European governments are expected to reject the reported plan firmly. Browder predicted they will issue diplomatic pushback in both private and public settings, stressing that any agreement requiring Ukraine to concede sovereignty cannot be accepted. He noted that Europe sees Ukraine’s defence as directly linked to its own security, given the scale of Russia’s hybrid aggression across the continent.
Despite the turmoil, Browder emphasised that many senior US figures remain strongly supportive of Ukraine. He highlighted Senator Lindsey Graham’s proposed legislation which would effectively “kneecap” Putin by severely restricting Russia’s oil income. He argued that Americans consistently back Ukraine and that Trump would face political risk if he attempted policies seen as too favourable to Moscow.
A simplified comparison of the proposals discussed appears below:
| Issue | Reported Trump Plan | Russia’s 2022 Proposal | Ukraine’s Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Territorial concessions | Recognise Crimea and Donbas as Russian | Same | Rejects concessions |
| Military limits | Reduce military and remove long range weapons | Same | Rejects limits |
| NATO membership | Not stated but implied limits | Ban on NATO membership | Retains sovereign choice |
| Russian language / church status | Enhanced protections | Similar | Domestic matter not for external negotiation |
| Security guarantees | US guarantees for future defence | Russia offers none | Supports genuine multilateral guarantees |
Browder concluded that the leaked outline will “go nowhere” and is likely to fade without impact, though not before delaying tougher sanctions that could significantly weaken Russia’s war effort.
