From Battlefield to Negotiating Table: Possible peace in Ukraine
A conflict that reshaped Europe's geopolitical landscape now teeters on the edge of resolution, potentially dictating the future balance of power. As of 20th November 2025, we could soon see the conclusion of the nearly 5-year-long Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Earlier today, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia met with senior Pentagon officials in Kyiv to discuss the specifics of a US-Russia-proposed 28-point peace plan. According to sources including The Financial Times and Reuters, the plan would require Kyiv to cede substantial portions of the Donbas—a territory in eastern Ukraine still partially under Ukrainian control. Additionally, the deal would mandate a significant reduction of Ukraine's armed forces and the relinquishment of certain weapons currently deployed against Russia.
Ukraine faces significant military fatigue after years of continuous conflict, weakening its capacity to sustain a prolonged military effort. Conversely, Russia grapples with a collapsing economy, creating internal pressure for a swift resolution and incentivising them to negotiate for peace.
The details of the 28-point plan first emerged just over four weeks ago after Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East, and Kirill Dmitriev, his Russian counterpart, were said to have met in Miami, Florida. The drafting of the peace deal included no EU or Ukrainian officials, creating the impression that it could be far more favorable to Russia. Ukrainian diplomat Olena Stavytska voiced concern, stating, 'Without direct input from Ukrainian representatives, the proposal fails to address our most critical national security needs.' Conversely, EU policy analyst Lars Thomsen expressed cautious optimism, suggesting that the plan might be the best opportunity for a long-overdue resolution, even if some terms are initially unpalatable.
Moscow has neither confirmed nor denied that this meeting has taken place or that they have had any involvement in the fabrication of this plan. This is a standard play we have seen in past years with Putin to avoid overplaying his hand. However, with rising internal instability, civil unrest in the region, and the Russian economy brought to its knees, there is far greater potential for this peace deal to move forward.