Secret Document: Full Text of the U
S. "Peace Plan" and Its Likely Impact on Ukraine’s Future The Reuters agency has published a detailed text of a proposal for resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which resulted from secret negotiations held on April 17 in Paris. U.S. President’s envoy Steve Witkoff presented this initiative to European officials, revealing a potential scenario for the development of events on Ukrainian territory. The document clearly outlines conditions that, according to sources, are the "final offer" from the United States to both Ukrainian and Russian parties. According to the plan, the U.S. aims to secure the signing of a lasting ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, with an immediate start to negotiations on the technical aspects of its implementation. The main goal is to stabilize the front lines and create prerequisites for diplomatic settlement. At the same time, the document contains several critical conditions that will influence Ukraine’s future structure. It is proposed that Ukraine will receive security guarantees necessary for restoring internal order, as well as a pathway toward future European Union membership. Conversely, the plan explicitly states that Ukraine will renounce any possibility of NATO accession — a point that, given ongoing discussions in international circles, is a key element of the protocol. Simultaneously, the plan enshrines the “de jure” recognition by the U.S. of Russia’s control over annexed Crimea, that is, its de facto status, which has been occupied since 2014. In addition to Crimea, the text, according to sources, mentions Russia’s “de facto” control over Luhansk (referred to as "Luhansk"), as well as parts of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson regions. Ukraine, in turn, would be able to recover a significant portion of the occupied Kharkiv region, including the important Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station — strategically vital facilities crucial for the country’s energy sector. Another point of the plan involves Ukraine’s control over the Kinburn Spit and unobstructed access to the Dnipro River — this aspect is strategically important for ensuring economic and trade security. Economically, a broad cooperation agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine is proposed to help restore Ukraine’s economy and attract new investments. The plan also foresees lifting sanctions on Russia, introduced after the annexation of Crimea and the start of the war in 2014, opening the way for an economic breakthrough for Moscow. The plan also notes the possibility of strengthening cooperation in the energy sector and other key industrial areas between the U.S. and Russia. This is especially relevant given the current global energy crisis and dependence on Russian resources. It should be noted that this secret U.S. proposal was previously shared with Ukraine as part of diplomatic negotiations in Paris. According to sources, the document was presented as the “final offer” for a quick peace agreement but sparked many discussions among Kyiv circles and international experts. On April 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the U.S. proposed its strategy for the region during negotiations in London; however, he stated that another, more compromise-oriented version of the document later emerged. The Telegraph clarifies that the new negotiation document envisages not only the return of some occupied territories to Ukraine but also the deprivation of Russia’s official international recognition of sovereignty over the Crimean Peninsula and other objects. This significantly alters the conflict’s resolution scenario, turning it into a possible diplomatic compromise with weight for both sides. All these documents and proposals raise many questions and doubts among experienced experts. On the one hand, they create conditions for ending hostilities and stabilizing the situation; on the other hand, they cast doubt on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Moreover, given the numerous points regarding control and recognition, such agreements could influence the global balance of power in Europe and regional security as a whole. The future outlook remains quite uncertain — sides are trading the possibility of peace and compromise, but these negotiations are risky and unpredictable. Nonetheless, the appearance of such documents opens new avenues for discussion and diplomatic strategies that will be crucial for stabilizing the situation in eastern Ukraine and ultimately — for the world as a whole.