US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has affirmed that the contentious peace proposal presented to Ukraine was drafted by the United States, following criticisms from another Republican official who described it as a “Russian wish list.”
The 28-point plan aimed at resolving the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine caused concern in Kyiv and across Europe after details were leaked earlier in the week. On Saturday, a group of US lawmakers raised doubts about the document, stating that it did not reflect the official position of the United States.
Republican senator Mike Rounds, speaking at a security conference in Canada, informed the media that the US was not behind the leaked version of the plan as it currently stands. He emphasized that it was not a recommendation or peace initiative from the US, but rather a leaked proposal.
Rounds, along with bipartisan colleagues at the conference, claimed that Rubio had confirmed this information in a phone call. He criticized the draft plan, suggesting that it seemed more aligned with Russian interests and labeled it a Russian agenda.
In response, a statement from US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott disputed Rounds’ version of events, calling it “blatantly false.” Pigott clarified that the peace plan was indeed authored by the United States, with input from both Russian and Ukrainian sources.
Rubio also took to social media to clarify the origins of the peace proposal, stating that it was developed by the US as a robust framework for ongoing negotiations. He emphasized that while the plan incorporated input from the Russian side, it also considered feedback from Ukraine.
The confusion surrounding the draft peace agreement coincides with upcoming discussions on Ukraine at the G20 summit in South Africa, where international leaders, excluding Donald Trump, have expressed reservations about parts of the US President’s peace plan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the dilemma facing his country in balancing sovereignty with the need for US support.
The situation underscores the complexity of diplomatic efforts in resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with key leaders calling for further refinement of the proposed peace terms.
