Deciphering the new 20-point roadmap for Russia-Ukraine peace

The Russia-Ukraine war approaches its four-year mark but diplomatic efforts to end it have so far failed to produce any tangible results.

- PRABHU DAYAL

The Trump administration has been relentlessly pushing for a settlement.On the campaign trail, Trump had said on dozens of occasions, in an entirely serious tone, manner and context, that he would end the war in Ukraine either within 24 hours of his return to the White House or even sooner than that! However, despite Trump's efforts, ending the Russia-Ukraine war is proving to be very difficult, primarily because neither side is willing to end the war on terms acceptable to the other.

The conflict has settled into a prolonged war of attrition with complex military, political, and historical factors preventing a resolution. Russia demands that Ukraine give up occupied territories and renounce its aspirations to join NATO, while Ukraine insists on the full restoration of its territorial integrity (including Crimea) and has stated that it will not accept limits on its sovereignty or right to self-defence. Neither side has achieved a decisive military victory, leading to a strategic deadlock.

In November 2025, a 28-Point Plan was drafted by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian businessman who was handpicked by President Putin to be a negotiator with the Donald Trump administration for negotiating an end to the Russia-Ukraine War. Among other things, this plan stipulated that:

1) Ukraine would cede Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk (including areas not currently occupied) to Russia.

2) Operations in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be frozen at the current "line of contact".

3) Ukraine would be banned from NATO membership and required to enshrine this in its constitution. NATO would also agree not to expand further East.

4) Ukraine's active military would be limited to 600,000 personnel.

5) Russia would be readmitted to the G8, and global sanctions would be lifted in stages.