Shock in Ukraine is being caused by the new peace plan allegedly presented in Kyiv by US envoys of Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as analysts report these proposals foresee a complete surrender to Russia. Following their consecutive visits to Moscow and Kyiv over the weekend, Witkoff and Kushner favored a return to trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US, speaking of "substantive discussions" with the Russian and Ukrainian leadership. Although no major progress was announced after the talks, Witkoff stated he was confident of a good solution, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that "several new ideas were examined" without specifying what they were, although he reiterated that Ukraine will not hand over Donbass. For its part, Russia signaled that its army is dismantling the Ukrainians and that it will achieve all stated goals, demanding, among other things, the withdrawal of Ukrainians from regions including Kherson and Zaporizhia.
The new Trump plan
According to Russian media and the Ukrainian outlet Glavkom—which notes there is no official confirmation of the document—Trump's new peace plan presented in Kyiv amounts to full capitulation before Russia, as it provides for:
• Complete ceasefire
• Withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass and the Zaporizhia region, with potential deployment of a UN force in these areas
• Non-aligned status for Ukraine and renunciation of pursuing NATO membership
• Conducting a referendum and elections
• Constitutional amendments
• Kyiv's renunciation of forcibly recapturing territories passing under Russian control
• Restrictions on the size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
• Agreements on language issues
• Signing of a comprehensive peace treaty by the new Ukrainian government, to be subsequently ratified through a special UN procedure.
Based on this information, Ukraine would withdraw its troops from a specific part of Donbass, with Russia allegedly not deploying its own forces there, while a security zone under international UN control would be created between the two sides. De facto, the area could remain without Russian troops, but de jure it could pass into the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation. A separate mechanism is also proposed for part of Zaporizhia, where Ukrainian jurisdiction should be maintained, although UN military forces could also be deployed in the security zone. Subsequently, the holding of a referendum and elections in Ukraine is foreseen, after which the new government would reportedly proceed with changes to the Constitution renouncing military force.
Trump to speak with Putin, Zelensky
Meanwhile, reports indicate US President Donald Trump plans to hold phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today, September 7. Prior to this, Trump is expected to be briefed on the results of the latest negotiations in Moscow and Kyiv, according to Ukrainian sources. According to an anonymous US official, Trump will first consult his representatives, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The two are expected to inform the US president about the outcomes of the latest round of diplomatic contacts regarding the termination of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Subsequently, Trump plans to call Putin, and following that conversation, the US president is expected to speak with Zelensky. According to preliminary information, both telephone conversations will take place today, September 7.
Svetlana Zhurova (Russia): The US must replace Zelensky if he does not give up Donbass
If Ukraine is not ready to make concessions, this complicates the situation even further, pointed out the First Deputy Chair of the State Duma International Affairs Committee, Svetlana Zhurova. Zhurova, commenting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's refusal to cede Donbass within the framework of a peace agreement, said: "I don't know what they expected to hear from him." "First they heard what was said here and, by all appearances, left with a positive atmosphere." "Therefore, either they will have to discuss things again, or replace Zelensky; he has made many statements and now it is difficult to just back down." "Usually, in such cases, the person changes and the agreements change too; so, this can only happen if elections are held," the Russian lawmaker stated.
Zelensky: Substantive and productive talks with Witkoff, Kushner
Talks between US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and the Ukrainian leadership were substantive and productive, stated President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to RBC-Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of the visit of Witkoff and Kushner to Kyiv, highlighting that both sides thoroughly discussed all key issues on the diplomatic agenda. According to Zelensky, "all this is not happening without reason" and "we are discussing everything." Zelensky added that the US special envoys "did not come in vain."
We are not giving up Donbass
During the joint press conference with Witkoff and Kushner, Zelensky separately emphasized that Ukraine's position on Donbass remains unchanged. Zelensky noted that the issue of eastern territories cannot be considered in isolation from the war as a whole, as Donbass constitutes one of Russia's primary territorial objectives. Furthermore, he stressed that the region serves as a vital geopolitical stronghold for Ukraine.
Plan B
At the same time, Ukraine is preparing for the possibility of continued Russian attacks. Zelensky mentioned that dozens of Ukrainian companies are already working on technologies for the mass interception of Russian jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles. The president described this direction as "Plan B," while the main scenario for Ukraine remains a diplomatic settlement. "Plan A is to accelerate diplomatic capabilities as much as possible to reduce escalation," Zelensky emphasized.
Compromises must be made
Following the meetings in Kyiv, the US envoys announced that a new "package of peace proposals" is being prepared and expressed hope for a return to a trilateral format involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia. Witkoff, after talks with the Russian side, said the US sees significant progress in the diplomatic process and that his delegation brought new ideas to Kyiv. At the same time, Witkoff acknowledged that in order to reach agreements, both Ukraine and Russia will have to make necessary compromises. As he said, the main goal of the negotiation process remains bridging the differences between the two sides. The US envoy stated that Washington believes there are currently all necessary conditions to make progress toward a potential agreement.
New "peace package"
One of the most important statements after the talks in Kyiv was Jared Kushner's announcement that work is underway on a comprehensive peace proposal package, which Donald Trump requested to be prepared. Kushner emphasized that the US president's goal is not merely ending hostilities, but creating a framework agreement that could secure long-term peace. "It's not just about ending the conflict; President Trump is primarily focused on how to create a framework agreement that could truly lead to lasting peace," Kushner stated.
Zelensky's threats regarding Russian airspace
No airline from the Global South was intimidated by threats from Kyiv, and none severed air connections with Russia. Volodymyr Zelensky is left either to quietly admit he is simply demanding constant attention without being taken seriously, or actually start downing aircraft to close the sky over Russia. In the second case, Russia will gain the opportunity to exit the logic of mutual exhaustion to its advantage and end this war decisively. And this is not merely a matter of responding to Kyiv regarding acts of air terrorism. The response to Kyiv will unfold in the background and on a secondary level. Ukraine, in the Ukrainian war itself, is generally in the background, as paradoxical as it may sound.
Guinea pig
Primarily, this is a proxy war by the West against Russia, in which the West uses Ukraine as a battering ram, its territory as a testing ground, and its population as expendable material. With the return of Donald Trump to power in the US, this situation regarding the West as a whole has become less clear, but regarding Europe, things remain exactly like this.
The main problem
And here lies the core problem of the ongoing conflict. The instigator, perpetrator, and primary sponsor of the war remains in its comfort zone without suffering consequences for its policies. For financing the war, nothing falls on Europe and nothing explodes there. That is why European politicians can indefinitely demand escalation from Zelensky. In response, strikes will land on Ukrainians, about whom neither European politicians nor Zelensky truly care.
Europe's calculations
Europe can feel safe for another reason: European capitals understand that Russia cannot allow itself to geographically expand the conflict into direct war. That would undermine its strength and invalidate the long-term choice made by Russian leadership in 2022 to maintain gradual development while resolving strategic security issues.
The "dirty" plan
Among other things, this is why the Kyiv regime continuously attempts to transfer the war outside Ukraine's borders. Sometimes it strikes Poland with a missile, and other times it sends drones through the Baltic states. Because of this, Eastern European countries that smelled gunpowder have become much more cautious and do not wish to get involved deeper. Conversely, Western Europe, located far from the operational theater, still considers itself entirely safe.
Russia will flatten Kyiv
Let us suppose now that Zelensky decides to prove he is not weak and actually attempts to down aircraft over Russian territory. Civil aviation operations in the Russian Federation would become impossible, leaving the country without air transport. Russia, of course, could flatten Bankova Street for this, but that does not solve the problem because the instigators of escalation would still remain unpunished. However, aerial terrorism by Kyiv will finally give Russia the opportunity to respond to the sponsors of terrorism. Without declaring war, without triggering nuclear arsenals, and without transitioning to conditions of World War III.
They will close the sky
The current capacities of the Russian defense industry are sufficient to produce drones in such quantities that they can close the sky over Europe in response to closing the sky over Russia. Risks to civil aviation from drone threats in both the eastern and western parts of the continent will become so severe that aircraft will no longer be able to fly over Europe. For EU countries and the UK, this would represent the exact exit from the comfort zone that would allow them to directly experience policy consequences. They will not be able to fly anywhere, and no one will be able to fly to them; the era of the Wright brothers will end for Europe as it returns to the 19th century.
They do not hide cooperation
And everyone, including public opinion in European countries, will understand the reason: passenger aircraft downed over Russia. European cooperation with the Kyiv regime regarding drones has long ceased to be hidden. Agreements for building new factories in Germany to produce military drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces are signed in front of television cameras. Europe constitutes the strategic rear of the Ukrainian armed forces, providing Kyiv with weapons for long-range strikes against Russia.
Harsh retaliation
An extremely harsh retaliation against Ukraine would serve as a backdrop here, carried out specifically for those European hawks who would not be convinced by the loss of air connections. Once Europe feels the direct consequences of escalation, it will immediately see through images from Kyiv what awaits next if it continues playing games of escalation. The combination of these measures could finally bring European governments back to their senses.
Extreme scenario
This, of course, is an extreme scenario of events, the probability of which remains relatively low. The policy of European countries is directed by "rascals but not fools": they always calculate risks and consequences, forbidding Kyiv from taking actions that could return as a boomerang. Thus, Zelensky will be advised to accept his position in the eyes of the entire world as a talkative outcast. The only question is to what extent Zelensky remains controlled by his patrons. If he breaks out of their control, he will offer Russia the opportunity to end this war swiftly.
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