Brussels – Washington: Europe and the Arabs

Axios, citing American and Russian sources, reported that the Trump administration is secretly working with Russia on a new peace plan for Ukraine. The 28-point plan is inspired by Trump's previous ceasefire proposal for Gaza, according to European media outlets in Brussels, such as the Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad.

The report added that, according to Axios, the plan covers topics such as "peace in Ukraine, security guarantees, security in Europe, and future relations between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine." US Special Envoy Steve Witkopf is leading the development of the proposal and has discussed it extensively with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Witkopf expressed optimism about the chances of success, saying, "We feel that the Russian position is already being heard, unlike in previous attempts."

A Ukrainian source confirmed that Witkopf discussed the plan earlier this week in Miami with Rustam Umarov, President Volodymyr Zelensky's national security advisor. A Ukrainian source confirmed that Witkov discussed the plan earlier this week in Miami with Rustam Umarov, President Volodymyr Zelensky's national security advisor.

Furthermore, reports indicate that U.S. officials briefed their European partners on the outlines of the proposal. The president has been clear that it is time to stop the killing and reach an agreement to end the war. A White House official told Axios, "President Trump believes there is an opportunity to end this senseless war if there is flexibility."

What is already known about the contents of the peace plan?

According to Axios, the plan's 28 points fall into four general categories: peace in Ukraine, security guarantees, security in Europe, and the future of U.S.-Russian-Ukrainian relations.

It is unclear how the plan will address contentious issues such as territorial control in eastern Ukraine—where Russian forces are gradually gaining ground but still control far less territory than the Kremlin claims.

Dmitriev said the goal is to prepare a written document on this before the next meeting between Trump and Putin. Plans for a summit between the two leaders in Budapest are currently on hold.

This initiative underscores Washington's efforts to open a diplomatic channel despite strained relations between Moscow and Kyiv. The plan's success will depend on the willingness of all parties.

Around the same time, Politico reported that two senior U.S. military officials are making an unannounced visit to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian leaders. According to Politico, the U.S. officials—Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Randy George—are focusing on the stalled peace process with Russia. A separate report in The Wall Street Journal indicates that Driscoll also plans to meet with Russian officials later.

According to Politico, the U.S. officials—Army Secretary Dan Driscoll (right) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Randy George—are focusing on the stalled peace process with Russia.

Meanwhile, the fighting continues, with seven people injured in Kharkiv after a Russian drone attack.

President Zelensky is currently visiting Spain, where he met with the prime minister and received a pledge of €300 million in air defense missiles. Dutch media outlets in The Hague, including the Volkskrant newspaper, reported that Ukraine used a US-made ATACMS missile on Tuesday in an attack on the city of Voronezh in eastern Russia, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The Trump administration had blocked the use of the missile against Russia for months, preventing Ukraine from striking targets in the border region.

The Ukrainian military announced on Tuesday that it had indeed deployed the ATACMS missile, which has a range of 300 kilometers, but the target remained unclear. According to the Russians, all four missiles launched were intercepted. No casualties were reported.

The Wall Street Journal reported at the end of August that the US veto, imposed sometime in the spring, was intended to bring Russia to the negotiating table. To our knowledge, this is the first time Ukraine has deployed an ATACMS missile since then. It remains uncertain how long the embargo will remain in place after the talks stalled.