U.S.Peace Plan for Ukraine Draws Fire From Both Sides of the Aisle
Geneva, Switzerland – A newly proposed U.S. peace plan aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine is facing significant scrutiny, with lawmakers in Washington expressing bipartisan concerns that the proposal asks for too many concessions from Ukraine.The plan, reportedly a 28-point proposal, was presented to russia’s security cabinet by President Putin on Friday, who indicated it could serve as a basis for peace negotiations. However, details remain scarce as the agreement is still being finalized.
according to NPR’s Luke Garrett, the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. has stated Russia is not directly involved in the official talks taking place in Geneva, leaving Ukraine feeling “blind” to the process.European officials are also present in Geneva, engaging in separate discussions with Ukraine, but were not involved in drafting the U.S. plan.
The core of the controversy centers on whether the plan provides sufficient security guarantees for Ukraine. Republican Representative Michael McCaul voiced strong opposition, stating, “For without that, I would not advise Ukraine to sign this. They can’t sign an agreement like the Budapest and then allow Russia to invade again.” McCaul’s comment references the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in which Ukraine relinquished its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances that ultimately failed to prevent Russia’s 2014 and 2022 invasions.
Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat and vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, went further, calling the initial plan “a total capitulation by Ukraine” and predicting it would be “a historically bad deal.”
However, not all U.S. lawmakers oppose the plan. Republican Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri praised former President Trump for the peace initiative, arguing, ”The United States of America needs to refocus its attention in a much more meaningful way on the homeland, our hemisphere.”
This division reflects growing pressure on Trump, from his right flank, to prioritize domestic issues over foreign conflicts. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky recently suggested that continued U.S. funding for Ukraine could fracture the “MAGA movement.”
The negotiations are ongoing, and the final form of the agreement remains unclear. The situation highlights the complex balancing act between addressing Ukraine’s security needs and navigating shifting domestic political priorities within the United States.
