§  The Origins Controversy: Setting the Record Straight on Authorship Claims

§  The 28-Point Proposal: What the Controversial Plan Actually Contains

§  Global Resistance Intensifies: Allies Push Back on Territorial Concessions

§  The Stakes for Ukraine: Zelensky Faces Difficult Diplomatic Moment

§  Discover the truth behind Trump’s 28-point Ukraine peace plan

§  US Secretary of State Rubio clarifies authorship while facing criticism from Ukraine, Europe and Republican senators over territorial concessions favoring Russia

§  Understanding the Ukraine Peace Plan: US Stands Firm on Authorship as Global Concerns Mount

United States, November 23, 2025: The diplomatic landscape surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict has become increasingly complex as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio firmly asserted that a controversial 28-point peace plan was authored by the United States, directly contradicting claims made by Republican senators who suggested the proposal originated from Russian officials.

Speaking amid heightened international scrutiny, Rubio declared the peace plan was “authored by the US” while simultaneously acknowledging it was based on input from both Russia and Ukraine. This clarification came after Republican Senator Mike Rounds publicly stated that the plan was presented as a Russian “wish list” and did not reflect Washington’s position, triggering a swift response from the State Department labeling the senator’s account as “blatantly false.”

The controversy underscores a fundamental question about the peace proposal’s origins while exposing deep fault lines between the Trump administration, its Republican allies in Congress and Ukraine’s European partners over what constitutes an acceptable framework for ending the nearly four-year conflict.

The Origins Controversy: Setting the Record Straight on Authorship Claims

What Started as a Closed-Door Discussion Became a Public Dispute

The authorship controversy emerged when Senator Mike Rounds, speaking at the prestigious Halifax Security Forum, revealed that Secretary Rubio had allegedly told a group of lawmakers the draft plan was not American policy. Rounds specifically stated that Rubio informed them the plan had been presented to Steve Witkoff—Trump’s overseas diplomatic envoy—by “someone representing Russia.”

[Rounds declared: “What Rubio told us was that this was not the American proposal. It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan.”] (Senator Mike Rounds’ statement at Halifax Security Forum)

This bombshell revelation created immediate tension within the Trump administration, forcing State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott to issue a forceful denial. Writing on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Pigott categorically stated: “As Secretary Rubio and the entire Administration has consistently maintained, this plan was authored by the United States with input from both the Russians and Ukrainians.”

·       Shortly thereafter, Rubio himself posted a clarification that read: “The peace proposal was authored by the US. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine.” This public correction attempted to quell the internal confusion while reaffirming Washington’s role in crafting the diplomatic framework.

The 28-Point Proposal: What the Controversial Plan Actually Contains

A Detailed Breakdown of Ukraine’s Required Territorial and Military Concessions

The draft peace plan—which remains officially unpublished but has been widely leaked to international media outlets—outlines a comprehensive framework for ending the conflict through a series of interconnected diplomatic, military, and economic arrangements.

Key elements of the 28-point plan include,

·       Territorial Concessions: Ukraine would recognize Russia’s de facto control over the Crimean Peninsula (annexed in 2014) and the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. The proposal effectively formalizes Russian territorial gains while freezing current battle lines in the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions along the present military positions.

·       Military Limitations: The agreement caps the size of Ukraine’s armed forces, restricting its ability to mount large-scale military operations or conduct offensive campaigns against Russian positions. This provision has drawn particularly sharp criticism from Ukrainian military experts who argue it creates permanent military asymmetry favoring Russia.

·       NATO Membership Ban: Ukraine would formally renounce any aspirations of joining the NATO alliance, effectively ending what has been a core strategic objective for Kyiv since the Cold War’s conclusion. This clause addresses what Putin has characterized as an existential security threat.

·       Elections and Governance: Ukraine would be required to hold national elections within 100 days of the agreement’s implementation, potentially reshaping the country’s political landscape during a critical security crisis.

·       Amnesty Provisions: Both sides would grant comprehensive amnesty for wartime actions, preventing future prosecution of combatants or government officials for war crimes or violations of international humanitarian law.

·       Security Guarantees: The plan promises Ukraine what it describes as “reliable security guarantees” modeled partly on NATO’s Article 5 collective defense principle, though the mechanism’s enforceability remains unclear.

·       Reconstruction and Economic Reintegration: The framework includes provisions for American-Ukrainian joint efforts to rebuild Ukraine’s war-damaged infrastructure while Russia would face gradual reintegration into the global economy and potential readmission to the G8.

·       Enforcement Mechanisms: The proposed Peace Council, chaired by President Trump himself, would oversee agreement implementation with authority to impose sanctions for violations.

Global Resistance Intensifies: Allies Push Back on Territorial Concessions

European Leaders Express Profound Concerns Over Plan’s Viability and Fairness

Ukraine’s Western allies have mounted a coordinated diplomatic offensive against significant provisions in the peace proposal, warning that accepting the plan in its current form would leave Kyiv “vulnerable to attack” and undermine long-term European security.

·       The G20 Response: Leaders from eleven countries—including Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and several EU nations—issued a joint statement at the G20 summit in South Africa warning that the plan “would leave Ukraine vulnerable to attack” and contained elements that “require additional work.” The signatories emphasized particular concerns regarding border changes and caps on Ukraine’s army, arguing these provisions threatened the nation’s fundamental security.

French President Emmanuel Macron articulated Europe’s deepest anxiety, declaring that the proposal “cannot simply be an American proposal,” emphasizing that any agreement must provide security guarantees for “all Europeans,” not merely the immediate combatants. Macron’s intervention reflected broader European anxiety that Ukraine’s territorial sacrifice might prove insufficient to deter future Russian aggression.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced measured skepticism, asserting that European nations “are still quite a long way from a good outcome for everyone,” suggesting that fundamental revisions remain necessary before any agreement achieves diplomatic legitimacy.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer engaged in intensive consultations with both Ukrainian President Zelensky and President Trump, briefing the American president on European discussions about the plan while advocating for enhanced provisions protecting Ukraine’s long-term security interests.

The Stakes for Ukraine: Zelensky Faces “One of the Most Difficult Moments” in His Nation’s History

Presidential Pressure Mounts as Trump Imposes Aggressive Deadline for Plan Acceptance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confronted an extraordinarily difficult diplomatic moment when President Trump imposed a deadline of Thursday (Thanksgiving) for Ukraine to accept the 28-point proposal. This aggressive timeline transformed diplomatic negotiations into a high-stakes pressure campaign with Zelensky describing the situation as “one of the most difficult moments in our history.”

In response, Zelensky appointed Andriy Yermak, his head of office to lead Ukraine’s negotiating team for future discussions on the peace deal. Zelensky emphasized that “our representatives know how to defend Ukraine’s national interests and exactly what must be done to prevent Russia from launching a third invasion,” signaling determination to resist accepting unacceptable concessions.

The Ukrainian president also expressed cautious engagement with the diplomatic process, saying: “Our representatives know how to defend Ukraine’s national interests and exactly what must be done to prevent Russia from launching a third invasion, another strike against Ukraine.” However, Zelensky simultaneously underscored Ukraine’s fundamental requirement: “We will not make harsh statements and are committed to clear, honest work – Ukraine, the United States and our friends and partners in Europe and the world.”

Crucially, Zelensky reiterated his nation’s non-negotiable core principle: “This is a war that decides the fate of the entire nation. And no one should or can decide it for us.” This statement reflected Ukraine’s historical experience and determination to resist external pressure determining its national future.

Trump Signals Flexibility: “Not My Final” Offer Suggests Room for Negotiation

President Indicates Willingness to Revise Plan Elements Amid International Criticism

President Trump demonstrated unexpected flexibility regarding the 28-point proposal’s finality, telling reporters at the White House: “No, not my final.” When asked whether the plan represented an unchangeable ultimatum, Trump’s response suggested the Trump administration might consider modifications addressing concerns raised by Ukraine, European allies, and critical Republicans.

Trump further emphasized his core diplomatic objective: “It should’ve happened a long time ago,” referencing his frequently stated goal of achieving swift conflict resolution. However, the president declined to specify which particular elements might prove subject to modification, leaving substantial ambiguity about potential revisions.

This apparent willingness to revisit specific provisions provided diplomatic breathing room that neither Rubio’s firm authorship claims nor Trump’s aggressive deadline had suggested possible. The remark potentially shifted expectations about whether the 28-point proposal truly represented Washington’s final negotiating position or merely an opening gambit for Geneva discussions.

Behind-the-Scenes Diplomacy: Geneva Talks Set to Begin Immediately

Rubio and Witkoff Travel to Switzerland as International Attention Focuses on Negotiations

Both Secretary Rubio and Special Envoy Witkoff are scheduled to attend negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, where discussions involving Ukrainian and European security officials will address the proposed peace framework. The meeting represents a critical moment where diplomatic representatives can engage in direct talks potentially refining the contested proposal.

The Geneva gathering will include senior security officials from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Ukraine, along with American representatives. The multilateral format suggests efforts to incorporate international perspectives and address specific concerns raised by Ukraine’s most committed allies.

This diplomatic convening comes amid unprecedented international attention on the Ukraine conflict and growing recognition that territorial negotiations increasingly dominate the diplomatic landscape, potentially overshadowing military considerations or humanitarian concerns that characterized earlier conflict phases.

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The Bigger Picture: Understanding Why This Peace Plan Matters to Global Security

The Ukraine Crisis as a Defining Test for International Law and Geopolitical Stability

The authorship controversy surrounding the 28-point peace plan reflects deeper questions about how the international community responds to territorial aggression, military occupation, and forced concessions achieved through warfare. Ukraine’s situation represents a fundamental test case determining whether military invasion can successfully reshape international borders despite overwhelming international opposition.

The plan’s emphasis on territorial concessions and NATO membership renunciation addresses Russian President Vladimir Putin’s stated security concerns while potentially establishing precedent that military aggression ultimately forces diplomatic capitulation. Critics argue this approach rewards Russian invasion while creating dangerous incentives for other nations considering military expansion.

Conversely, proponents contend that territorial compromise, however painful, may represent the only realistic pathway to halting the ongoing military conflict and preventing further European instability. The Trump administration’s approach reflects this pragmatic calculus prioritizing conflict cessation over territorial restoration.

Conclusion: Diplomacy at a Crossroads as Stakes Mount for Global Order

The Ukraine Peace Proposal Symbolizes Competing Visions of International Relations in 2025

The authorship controversy surrounding the 28-point Ukraine peace plan extends far beyond bureaucratic finger-pointing about diplomatic responsibility. Rather, it reflects fundamental disagreements between the Trump administration, Republican congressional skeptics, Ukrainian leadership and European allies about how international disputes should be resolved and what constitutes acceptable diplomatic settlement.

Secretary Rubio’s firm insistence that “this plan was authored by the United States” combined with Trump’s indication that it’s “not my final” offer signals a complex diplomatic moment where American commitment to a specific framework remains ambiguous despite rhetorical firmness.

The Geneva talks beginning immediately represent perhaps the most critical diplomatic moment in the Ukraine conflict since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion. Whether the international community can achieve consensus on a peace framework that simultaneously addresses American, Ukrainian, Russian and European interests remains profoundly uncertain.

What appears clear is that the traditional model of international diplomacy has fundamentally shifted. Rather than military victory determining conflict resolution, diplomatic negotiation increasingly determines which concessions warring parties ultimately accept. For Ukraine, this represents an extraordinarily difficult transition from battlefield victory aspirations to diplomatic compromise negotiations.

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