WASHINGTON (HRNW): The United States on Saturday strongly rejected claims that its latest Ukraine proposal reflects a Russian-driven agenda, pushing back against a group of senators who alleged that Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the draft plan as nothing more than a Moscow “wish list.”
The controversy centers on a 28-point document that includes major concessions to Russia, including territorial compromises long demanded by Moscow. The conflicting statements have added confusion to already sensitive diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the ongoing war.
US President Donald Trump has been urging Kyiv to review the proposal quickly, insisting that negotiators finalize a direction within days. Talks are scheduled to continue in Switzerland on Sunday.
Senators Claim Proposal Reflects Russian Priorities
Several prominent US senators voiced concerns after receiving briefings on the proposal. Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, Canada, senators Mike Rounds (Republican), Angus King (Independent), and Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat) said Rubio indicated the plan did not originate from Washington.
Rounds stated that the draft presented to them appeared to be a document that “came from someone representing Russia,” and was passed to Trump’s diplomatic envoy, Steve Witkoff.
“It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan,” Rounds emphasized.
King echoed the concerns, saying the leaked document “looks like a Russian wish list” rather than an official US framework.
The draft plan reportedly includes provisions that would require Ukraine to give up contested territories, limit its military capabilities, and formally commit to never joining NATO.
Trump has said the proposal is not his “final offer,” but insisted he wants to end the conflict “one way or the other.”
Rubio Insists Proposal Was Crafted by the US
In contrast to the senators’ claims, Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted the document was indeed shaped by the United States government.
Rubio said the proposal is a “strong framework” that incorporates viewpoints from both Russia and Ukraine.
“It was authored by the US… and includes previous and ongoing input from Ukraine,” he said.
However, Shaheen and Rounds said they spoke directly with Rubio while he was traveling to Geneva for the next round of talks, and described him as “very frank” about the origins of the document.
Rounds added that the language and structure of the plan “did not resemble something that usually comes from our government,” suggesting it looked like it was “written in Russian first.”
Concerns Over Rewarding Russian Aggression
Senator Angus King stressed that any credible peace initiative must ensure that Ukraine’s sovereignty is fully respected.
“We want a fair and just peace that does not reward aggression and protects Ukraine’s security,” he said.
A separate group of US senators—including members from Trump’s own Republican Party—also criticized the current proposal. They warned that offering concessions to Moscow could undermine Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.
“We will not achieve lasting peace by granting concession after concession,” the senators wrote in a joint statement.
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell said that rewarding Russia for its invasion would be “disastrous for America’s interests.”
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool.”
Diplomatic Tensions Rise Ahead of Switzerland Talks
As US, Ukrainian, and European negotiators prepare to meet in Geneva, uncertainty continues to surround the status of the 28-point plan. While Washington insists it remains committed to a fair settlement, internal disagreements over the document’s origins are raising questions about the direction of US policy.
The coming days are expected to be crucial as international attention shifts to whether Kyiv will accept or reject the controversial framework.
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