The United States and Ukraine have drafted a new **19-point peace plan** that significantly differs from the controversial **28-point proposal** previously put forth by former President **Donald Trump**. This development, announced on **March 11, 2024**, comes after a weekend of heightened tensions surrounding the earlier plan, which critics claimed heavily favored **Russia**.
Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister **Sergiy Kyslytsya** expressed optimism regarding the new plan, stating that both sides felt “positive” about its prospects. Key alterations in the new draft include the removal of restrictions on the size of Ukraine’s military and the elimination of blanket amnesty for war crimes committed during the ongoing conflict. As reported by the **Financial Times**, Kyslytsya emphasized that the latest plan bears little resemblance to the earlier version, which demanded considerable concessions from Ukraine while allowing minimal changes from Russia.
The previous proposal sought to reduce Ukraine’s armed forces from **900,000** to **600,000** personnel and required the country to relinquish its claims to the **Donbas region**, an area that has faced conflict for over a decade. Moreover, it stipulated that Ukraine abandon its aspirations for NATO membership in exchange for vague security assurances, which many viewed as inadequate against potential future aggression from Russia.
After discussions in **Geneva** between Ukrainian officials and U.S. Secretary of State **Marco Rubio**, Kyslytsya noted that the previous requirement to cut Ukraine’s military size “was no longer on the table.” This shift reflects a significant change in negotiations, with American and Ukrainian officials agreeing to address the grievances of those affected by the war rather than granting amnesty for past actions.
Despite these advancements, substantial issues remain unresolved, particularly Russia’s territorial demands and its insistence that Ukraine be barred from NATO membership. Kyslytsya highlighted that these contentious points would require direct dialogue between **Trump** and Ukrainian President **Volodymyr Zelensky**. Washington is expected to engage with Moscow in the coming days to present the updated proposal.
In a separate statement, Russian President **Vladimir Putin** remarked that the previous **28-point plan** could serve as a foundation for a final peace settlement. He noted that the terms of that agreement aligned with discussions held during his summit with Trump in **Alaska** earlier this year. This raises questions about how Moscow will respond to the new plan, which incorporates feedback from Ukraine.
Kyslytsya concluded by asserting that it is now incumbent upon Russia to demonstrate a genuine interest in pursuing peace, rather than finding excuses to avoid negotiations. As both sides navigate this complex landscape, the international community watches closely for developments that could impact the ongoing conflict.
