Everything there is to know about the new US peace plan that pushes Ukraine toward capitulation, circulating in the media

The U.S. is advancing a new peace proposal for ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, which Kyiv says reflects Moscow’s maximalist demands. The plan, approved by President Donald Trump, was drafted by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been consulting with Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev. Ukraine and European partners were excluded from the process.

According to reports, the proposal would require Ukraine to surrender all of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, create a demilitarized zone, drastically cut its military, pause NATO ambitions, recognize Russian as an official language, and lift restrictions on the Russian Orthodox Church. In exchange, Russia would pledge not to attack Ukraine or Europe—a promise critics say carries little weight given Putin’s history of rewriting Russian law.

The plan also includes a “rental fee” scheme in which Russia would pay for de facto control over Donbas while legal ownership remained with Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials and experts widely condemned the proposal as unrealistic and harmful. Lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko called it “senseless,” arguing it aligns with Kremlin interests and may be a Russian attempt to sow discord and delay U.S. sanctions. Others compared it to the 1938 Munich Agreement, saying it pressures the victim to accept territorial losses.

Sources say Russia hardened its stance amid Ukraine’s battlefield struggles and recent corruption scandals. Meanwhile, Europe voiced concern, insisting that any peace plan must involve both Ukraine and European partners.

So far, President Volodymyr Zelensky has only said that the U.S. has the strength to help end the war and that Ukraine supports any “strong and fair” proposal.

The White House says Trump wants a quick end to the war and is frustrated with both sides. The Kremlin denies that any formal consultations on a peace plan are taking place.

Zelenskyy reportedly does not dismiss Yermak, the head of his office, for now

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided not to dismiss Andrii Yermak, the head of the President’s Office, despite growing criticism and concerns about his role.

Holos MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak reported that Zelenskyy chose to keep Yermak in place and plans to push back against those involved in investigating the Mindich corruption case. Sources in political circles also report that Yermak will remain in his position for now.

Earlier, there was a division among Zelensky`s political party, Servant of the People, significant number of members, including the head of ther the party demanded from Zelensky to dismiss Andriy Yermak due to his involvment in the corruption scandal.

Ukrainian nuclear power plants reduced output after the 19 November attacks

Ukraine’s nuclear power plants have had to cut electricity production since 19 November after Russian strikes hit nearby energy infrastructure, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported.

The Khmelnytskyi and Rivne plants, which had already reduced output earlier this month, were forced to scale back further after each lost a connection to a high-voltage power line. IAEA staff at both sites had to take shelter during morning air raids.

The Pivdennoukrainsk plant also lost a high-voltage line and reported detecting 11 drones overnight about one kilometre from the facility.

The IAEA said it has made two more deliveries of equipment to Ukraine under its support programme, bringing the total number of shipments since the start of the war to 176.