Now the background is not victorious — MP Kostenko speaks against negotiations on the end of the war

Roman Kostenko, MP, Secretary of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, Colonel of the Security Service of Ukraine, said that the current moment is «the worst for the entire war» for negotiations.

According to him, Ukraine is currently in a losing position as he stated on «Espreso.TV».

«We are now at the worst moment in almost four years of war — the worst time to participate in any negotiations imposed by the US or Russia. Ukraine is in a very uncomfortable and losing position, and I emphasise once again: the worst ever. We remember the times in 2022 when we were liberating our territories in Kherson and Kharkiv regions, 2023 when we were preparing a counter-offensive, and the Russians were waiting for it, and 2024 when we did not lose the initiative,» the MP said.

According to him, the current «background is not victorious», in particular, because the battles for Pokrovsk are ongoing, and Ukraine's position is weakened by the corruption scandal in the energy sector.

«In fact, this is not the first time Trump has offered us his plans and set conditions, in fact, ultimatums. And this is happening at a time when fierce fighting is taking place for Pokrovsk: the enemy is trying to surround our units, bypass them and close the ring. Our soldiers are fighting, but the background around them does not look victorious. The situation is complicated, and although the fighting is at the tactical or operational level in a relatively small area, the enemy has the initiative. But this is not the kind of initiative that means giving up the whole of Donbas. At the negotiating table, this background is presented as if we have already lost Donbas, surrendered Pokrovsk, and the enemy is already in the Dnipro region. It is this background that puts us in a very uncomfortable position. The second factor, no less important, is the corruption scandal in the country, one of the largest during the term of this government,» the MP added.

28-point «peace plan» from the US

A new US «peace plan» to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian war was developed during informal talks between US and Russian representatives in Miami at the end of last month. As a result, a 28-point document was discussed by Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Vitkoff and Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev.

According to the Financial Times, the plan provides for a number of requirements for Ukraine, including giving up the rest of the Donbas, including the areas currently controlled by Kyiv, and a significant halving of the Armed Forces. In addition, the draft contains a proposal to give up key weapons and agree to limit US military aid. The document also provides for the recognition of Russian as the second official language and the granting of official status to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Later, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that to end the war «both sides» would have to make «necessary concessions».

The media also reported that one of the points of the plan, allegedly approved by Donald Trump, contains a proposal to transfer full control of Donbas to Russia in exchange for rent.

A written version of the document was handed over to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. Zelensky stressed that this is only the vision of the American side, not an agreed agreement, and outlined the so-called «red lines» of Ukraine.

Among the main provisions of the proposed plan:

• Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions are de facto recognised as Russian, including by the United States.
• The front line in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions is fixed as the de facto border.
• Withdrawal of the Armed Forces from part of Donetsk region and creation of a demilitarised buffer zone.
• Refusal to join NATO, enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine, and a guarantee by the Alliance not to consider Kyiv's membership in the future.
• Limiting the size of the Ukrainian army to 600,000 troops.
• Gradual lifting of sanctions against Russia and the possibility of economic cooperation between the US and Russia.
• Zaporizhzhya NPP comes under the control of the IAEA, and the electricity produced is divided equally between Ukraine and Russia.
• Full amnesty for all parties for actions committed during the war.
• Holding elections in Ukraine within 100 days of the agreement.
• Establishment of the «Peace Council» headed by Donald Trump, which should monitor the implementation of the agreements.

Separately, the document includes a large-scale investment package to rebuild Ukraine, create development funds, finance infrastructure projects, and return Russia to the global economy and possibly resume its participation in the G8 format.

Later, White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt said that under this plan, the US, Ukraine, and Russia «would receive more than they would have to give».

At the same time, the Russian side claims that it has not received any official proposals from the US to end the war.

Later, US President Donald Trump said that Ukraine had until 27 November to agree to Washington's 28-point «peace plan». On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow had not been briefed on the plan in detail, but that Russia «was ready to show flexibility» in the peace talks.