Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has come back with a counterproposal to US President Donald Trump’s “final offer”  to end the conflict in Ukraine that calls for a complete ceasefire before any other points can be discussed.

Reuters published the set of proposals on how to end Russia's war in Ukraine in full that were given to the US negotiating team on April 23 by Ukrainian and European officials during the failed talks in London that rejected Trump’s seven-point plan.

The Ukrainian plan included four main points, starting with a complete and immediate unconditional ceasefire before any other points can be negotiated. Kyiv is asking for the ceasefire to be monitored by the US, something that the Trump administration has already ruled out, but suggests European and non-European forces could be involved.

It also rejects Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine acknowledge Russia’s de jure sovereignty over the Crimea but suggests that Kyiv will concede the “temporary” loss of control of these territories which make up some 20% of Ukraine’s land.

The most controversial point on the list is that Ukraine is offered “robust” security guarantees, specifically defining them as “Article 5-like” collective security conditions contained in the Nato treaty. All of Ukraine’s allies have ruled out Ukraine’s membership in Nato – Special Envoy to Ukraine retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg deleted it from the agenda last week – and are unwilling to commit to coming Ukraine’s military aid should Russia renew its attack.

In lieu of security guarantees, the coalition of the willing has proposed sending some 30,000 peacekeepers, but the Daily Telegraph reported on April 25 that the UK is backing away from its commitment to send British forces to Ukraine as part of the effort, regarding it as unworkable and likely to inflame the military situation.

The plan also calls for Ukraine to be fully compensated for the damage caused by the war. A recent World Bank assessment estimated the cost of the damage at $586bn. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested early this month that the Kremlin may accept its frozen $300bn of Central Bank of Russia (CBR) reserves being used for the reconstruction of Ukraine, provided part of the money was spent on rebuilding Ukrainian territories currently under Russian control.

Earlier Trump threatened to walk away from supporting Ukraine if his seven-point “final offer” was rejected and also said that he wants a deal before the end of this month. However, in comments to the US press on April 25 he suggested that those deadlines no longer apply.

Ceasefire:

• Commit to a full and unconditional ceasefire in the sky, on land and at sea.
• Both sides immediately enter into negotiations on technical implementation with the participation of the US and European countries. This is in parallel to preparation of the agenda and modalities for a full peace deal.
• Ceasefire monitoring, led by the US and supported by third countries.
• Russia must unconditionally return all deported and illegally displaced Ukrainian children. Exchange of all prisoners of war (the principle of "all for all"). Russia must release all civilian prisoners.

Security guarantees for Ukraine:

• Ukraine receives robust security guarantees including from the US (Article 5-like agreement), while there is no consensus among Allies on Nato membership.
• No restrictions on the Ukrainian Defence Forces.
• The guarantor states will be an ad hoc group of European countries and willing non-European countries. No restrictions on the presence, weapons and operations of friendly foreign forces on the territory of Ukraine.
• Ukraine pursues accession to the EU.

Territory:

• Territorial issues will be discussed and resolved after a full and unconditional ceasefire.
• Territorial negotiations start from the basis of the line of control.
• Ukraine regains control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with US involvement, and also the Kakhovka Dam
• Ukraine enjoys unhindered passage on the Dnieper River and control of the Kinburn Spit.

Economics:

• The US and Ukraine implement economic cooperation/minerals agreement.
• Ukraine will be fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates damage to Ukraine.