Putin says U.S. plan for Ukraine could form the basis for a final peace settlement : NPR

Kyiv, Ukraine — Russian President Vladimir Putin cautiously welcomed a U.S. proposal Friday to end Moscow's nearly four-year war in Ukraine, saying it “could become the basis for a final peace settlement.”

Putin said Moscow had received a plan he called a “new version” and a “modernized plan” that he said “could become the basis for a final peace settlement.”

“But this text was not discussed with us in any meaningful way, and I can guess why,” Putin said in Moscow. “The US administration has not yet managed to achieve the consent of the Ukrainian side. Ukraine is against it. Apparently, Ukraine and its European allies are still under illusions and the dream of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield.”

Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address that his country was at a turning point in its four-year struggle to defeat. Russian invasionUkrainians could potentially face a choice: stand up for their sovereign rights or lose American support while leaders negotiate US peace proposal.

The US plan contains many of Putin's long-standing demands but offers limited security guarantees to Ukraine. It envisages Ukraine transferring territories to Russia (something Zelensky has repeatedly ruled out), reduces the size of its army and blocks its desired path to NATO membership.

Zelensky promised constructive discussions with Washington during what he called “truly one of the most difficult moments in our history.” Zelensky said he spoke for nearly an hour on Friday with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll about the peace proposal.

US President Donald Trump said in a radio interview on Friday that he wants to hear back from Zelensky on his 28-point plan by Thursday, but says an extension is possible to finalize terms.

“I've had a lot of deadlines, but if things go well, the deadlines get extended,” Trump said in an interview with The Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Radio. “But it’s Thursday—we think it’s a good time.”

While Zelensky has offered to negotiate with the US and Russia, he has made it clear that Ukraine may not get everything it wants and will have to face the possibility of losing American support if it moves forward.

“Currently, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the toughest,” Zelensky said in a recorded speech. “Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice: either lose its dignity or risk losing a key partner.”

“We will work calmly with America and all partners,” he said, but insisted on fair treatment.

He called on Ukrainians to “stop fighting” with each other, perhaps meaning major corruption scandal It drew sharp criticism from the government and said peace talks next week “will be very difficult”.

Europe said it will continue to support Ukraine

Zelensky had earlier spoken by phone with the leaders of Germany, France and Britain, who pledged their continued support as European officials scrambled to respond to US proposals that apparently caught them by surprise.

For fear of angering Trump, European and Ukrainian responses were worded cautiously and pointedly praised American peace efforts.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured Zelensky of “their unwavering and full support on the path to a lasting and just peace” in Ukraine, Merz’s office said.

The four leaders applauded US efforts to end the war. “In particular, they welcomed Ukraine's commitment to sovereignty and willingness to provide Ukraine with strong security guarantees,” the statement said.

According to them, the line of contact should be the starting point for reaching an agreement, and “the Ukrainian armed forces must remain able to effectively defend the sovereignty of Ukraine.”

Starmer said Ukraine's right “to determine its future under its own sovereignty is a fundamental principle.”

Existential threat to Europe

European countries see their own future at stake in Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion and insist that they be consulted in peace efforts.

“Russia’s war against Ukraine poses an existential threat to Europe. We all want this war to end. But how it ends matters,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in Brussels. “Russia has no legal right to any concessions from the country it invaded. Ultimately, the terms of any agreement must be decided by Ukraine.”

Trump, in a radio interview, rejected the idea that the agreement, which offers numerous concessions to Russia, would embolden Putin to carry out further harmful actions against his European neighbors.

“He's not thinking about another war,” Trump said of Putin. “He's thinking about punishment. Say what you want. I mean, this was supposed to be a one-day war that has been going on for four years.”

A European government spokesman said that US plans were not officially presented to European supporters of Ukraine.

Many of the proposals are “concerning,” the official said, adding that a bad deal for Ukraine would also be a threat to broader European security.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the plan publicly.

European Council President Antonio Costa in Johannesburg said of the US proposals: “The European Union has not been formally informed of any plans.”

Ukraine is considering proposals

Ukrainian officials said they were weighing the U.S. proposal, and Zelensky said he expected to talk to Trump about it in the coming days.

The U.S. team began developing the plan shortly after U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Rustem Umerov, Zelensky's top adviser, according to a senior Trump administration official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The official added that Umerov agreed to most of the plan, making a few changes, and then presented it to Zelensky.

However, Umerov denied this version of events on Friday. He said that he was only organizing meetings and preparing negotiations.

He said that technical negotiations between the United States and Ukraine are continuing in Kyiv.

“We are thoughtfully considering our partners’ proposals within the framework of Ukraine’s unchanging principles – sovereignty, people’s security and a just world,” he said.