The US and Europe are developing a peace plan that will give Ukraine security guarantees, and Russia — economic benefits

Trump's quarrel with Zelensky has distracted attention from the preparation of a peace plan for Ukraine, writes Washington Post columnist David Ignatius.

According to his American source, the US and Europe are developing a joint proposal with financial benefits and security guarantees for Ukraine and Russia.

Its idea is to show Ukraine and Russia what they can gain after the war, to incline them towards a territorial compromise that will not fully satisfy either side.

The project was discussed at a six-hour meeting in Florida on Friday, October 9. Donald Trump's envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff hosted Ukrainian officials and representatives from the UK, France, and Germany. The meeting took place at the Shell Bay golf club, owned by Witkoff.

According to the author's American source, the proposal has four main components.

First — the reconstruction of Ukraine. The World Bank and the investment company BlackRock want to develop a financing mechanism for rebuilding destroyed territories, supporting families of deceased and wounded servicemen, and restoring the economy.

Negotiators asked Kyiv to prepare detailed cost calculations and guarantees that these funds would not be embezzled. As of the column's preparation, the calculations had not yet been presented.

Second — security guarantees. The US and European countries must promise Ukraine a military response in the event of a new Russian attack.

The interlocutor called such a guarantee equivalent to Article Five of the NATO charter on collective defense. Russia could also conclude agreements with Europe that would take into account its security demands. What exactly these would entail is not yet clear.

Third component — an energy deal between Russia, Ukraine, and Europe. One possible option is a pipeline for supplying Russian oil and gas to Europe, the profits from which would be shared by Ukraine and Russia. Moscow would gain long-term access to the European energy market. The agreement must also determine how and when economic sanctions will be lifted.

The most painful component — a ceasefire along the existing front line. For Ukraine, this would mean that Russia would retain de facto control over the occupied territories, including the captured areas of Donbas. An additional complication is that the front line itself is blurred in the conditions of the current war; it's a vast grey zone.

However, the diplomatic process has already encountered a conflict between Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Ignatius's American source, Trump demands a halt to Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries as a condition for further progress on the peace initiative. If Kyiv agrees, Kushner and Witkoff are ready to go to Moscow.

For Ukraine, such a concession would mean giving up one of the most effective means of pressure on Russia, a European diplomat noted in a conversation with the author. The largest Ukrainian oil refinery has already been heavily damaged by Russian attacks, while strikes on Russian plants harm Russia's economy and strengthen Zelensky's negotiating position.

Ignatius also writes about the threat to cease American intelligence support for Ukraine amid this dispute. A European diplomat acknowledged that it would be difficult to replace it.

At the same time, the author emphasizes: Putin's readiness for peace remains questionable. In his opinion, Trump's diesel deal with Moscow, which undermines sanctions, facilitates Russia's continuation of the war.

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