German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has confirmed that Ukraine submitted a revised peace plan proposal to US President Donald Trump. The proposal includes potential territorial concessions that Kyiv might be prepared to make. Merz emphasized that the question of territorial adjustments is primarily a matter for the Ukrainian president and its people to address.
European leaders, in collaboration with Ukraine, have been developing a new version of a peace plan designed to incorporate Kyiv's interests and concerns. President Trump has reportedly expressed challenges regarding the intricacies of sovereignty over Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. European allies of Kyiv have conveyed concerns that previous engagement between Trump's negotiating team and Moscow could lead to a US-backed solution favored by Russia.
Merz stated in a joint press conference with NATO chief Mark Rutte that it would be an error to compel the Ukrainian president into a peace agreement unacceptable to its populace after four years of conflict. He further noted that during a recent phone call with Trump, he, along with France's Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, clarified that European interests also require consideration. Trump indicated that participants discussed Ukraine thoroughly and that he has not yet decided on attending a future meeting in Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously signaled his willingness to engage directly with Trump to discuss unresolved issues of a potential agreement. However, Trump has suggested that all points must be resolved prior to such a meeting. A central point of contention remains the territorial question. Russia demands Ukraine's complete withdrawal from parts of the eastern Luhansk and Donetsk regions still under Ukrainian control. Kyiv maintains its refusal to concede territory, citing constitutional, international, and moral rights, alongside concerns about establishing a Russian foothold for future incursions.
President Zelensky is scheduled to hold additional discussions with allies, co-chairing a coalition call with Merz, Macron, and Starmer. Throughout recent weeks of diplomatic activity involving US, European, and Ukrainian officials, Moscow has issued limited public statements. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commended Trump's efforts to broker a deal. Lavrov also stated that a recent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin had addressed "misunderstandings" that arose since the previous Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. Lavrov reiterated that Russia and the US had previously agreed on Ukraine's return to a non-aligned, neutral, and nuclear-free status.