FT: Putin Rejects Peace Plan Backed by US, Ukraine, and Europe, Prompting Response From Witkoff

May 17, 2025 14:58 IVAN KHOMENKO

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Russian leader Vladimir Putin has declined to engage with a 22-point peace proposal drafted jointly by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Ukrainian officials, and European partners, according to a Financial Times report published on May 17.

Citing three sources familiar with the discussions, FT reports that senior Russian officials informed Witkoff last week that the Kremlin has no intention of negotiating on the basis of the proposed plan.

In response, Witkoff postponed a scheduled visit to Moscow, though an associate close to him claimed that no trip had been firmly planned.

The proposed framework, developed by Witkoff in coordination with Ukraine and the European Union, was designed to serve as a basis for ending the war. The same 22 points were reportedly discussed the following day during a secure call between Ukrainian and US officials.

Ukraine was represented by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while the US delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.

While the full contents of the 22-point plan remain undisclosed, previous reporting suggests that a separate five-point plan backed by Ukraine and Europe was shared with former President Donald Trump in response to a US-drafted version. That earlier proposal reportedly sought to freeze the war and acknowledge Russian control over occupied territories.

The Ukraine-European version emphasized that any agreement must be grounded in international law and include security guarantees as a precondition for a lasting resolution—potentially allowing for temporary territorial concessions.

Earlier, on May 16, leaders including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized Russia’s stance during the Türkiye peace talks. They accused Moscow of refusing to engage in meaningful dialogue and attempting to delay a ceasefire, calling Russia’s position “unacceptable” and urging increased international pressure.