The plan, if implemented, gives Russia what it wants
One of the key sticking points in negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine is about territory in the east.
As recently as last month, Russia repeated its demand that it take control of all of the Donbas region as a condition for peace. At the moment, however, Russia doesn’t control all of it, so if that were to happen, Ukraine would be handing over more of its own territory.
Ukraine and the U.S. have so far opposed that, saying front lines should be frozen where they are now. This dispute is a key reason why Trump cancelled a planned meeting with Putin in Budapest, which was to happen this month. The latest plan, however, signals a change in the U.S.’s position.
Other Russian demands have included a steep reduction of Ukraine’s armed forces, and guarantees it will never join NATO.
Aside from the NATO demand, the details of the peace plan appear to grant Russia most or all of what it wants.
