Senior US military officials have arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine, for discussions regarding efforts to conclude the ongoing conflict with Russia.
US Delegation in Kyiv
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, accompanied by US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, top US Army Commander in Europe Gen. Chris Donahue, and Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer, arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday. According to US Army spokesman Col. David Butler, the team is on a fact-finding mission to meet with Ukrainian officials. Driscoll and Gen. George represent the most senior US military officials to participate in discussions in Kyiv since President Donald Trump assumed office.
Secretary Driscoll met with Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal. Following the meeting, Shmyhal stated on X that discussions focused on "next steps for implementing the historic defence agreements reached by President Zelensky and President Trump." He also expressed gratitude for Washington's approval of a support package for the PATRIOT air-defence system, valued at approximately $105 million.
Reports of Peace Proposals
Reports emerged on Wednesday from various outlets, including Axios, the Financial Times, and Reuters, indicating that the United States and Russia have privately developed proposals to end the conflict. These reports, citing individuals familiar with the matter, suggest that the plans involve Ukraine ceding certain territories and weaponry, alongside a significant reduction in its armed forces. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, representing President Trump, and Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, are believed to have been involved in the development of a 28-point peace plan.
An unnamed Ukrainian official informed CBS that discussions during the current trip would address the military situation on the ground and potential ceasefire plans. This official stated that "Presidents Zelensky and Trump have already agreed to stop the conflict along the existing lines of engagement, and there are agreements on granting security guarantees."
Responses from Moscow and Kyiv
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the reports of a new peace plan, stating that Russia had "no additional innovations to what we call 'the spirit of Anchorage'." This references an August summit between Putin and Trump in Alaska, during which any agreements were not publicly disclosed.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has consistently rejected any territorial concessions to Russia. Ukraine and its Western allies, including the United States, have advocated for an immediate ceasefire along the front line. Moscow has rejected this, reiterating demands that Ukraine considers equivalent to de facto capitulation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov previously stated this month that Moscow's preconditions for a peace deal, including territorial cessions, restrictions on Ukraine's military size, and the country's neutrality, remain unchanged from those outlined by President Putin two months prior to the full-scale invasion.
Recent Casualties
Earlier on Wednesday, officials in Ukraine reported that at least 26 individuals were killed in a Russian missile and drone attack on the western city of Ternopil. Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.