White House Calls US Peace Plan Good For Russia And Ukraine

White House Press Secretary Krypt Leavitt. (Wikimedia Commons/BruceSchaff)

JAKARTA - The White House said on Thursday that the United States peace plan backed by President Donald Trump and is being negotiated with Russia and Ukraine, both for both sides, dismissed concerns that it would reflect Moscow's many demands.

President Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have "quietly" been working on the plan for a month, said Press Secretary Krypt Leavitt.

"This plan is ongoing and changing, but the president supports this plan. This is a good plan for Russia and Ukraine, and we believe this plan will be acceptable to both sides," Leavitt told a briefing. AFP November 21

"We are working very hard to make it happen," he said, adding Washington "has had good conversations" with Ukraine and Russia "to understand the commitments of these countries."

This is the first official confirmation from the White House of plans previously said by Ukrainian officials Washington had submitted to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Details given to AFP by a source familiar with the matter suggest the draft contains many Moscow's maximal demands to end the war, including Ukraine's surrender of territory and cut its armed forces.

However, Leavitt declined to provide details of the proposal, but denied the draft proposal would harm Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Rubio and Witkoff met with Ukrainian representatives last week, he said.

Leavitt said President Trump was "increasing frustration" with both sides but committed to ending the war, he said.

"I know there are a lot of criticism out there and a lot of doubt, but I just want to remind you of the historic success this president and his team have achieved in the Middle East," he said, referring to the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

"We believe it might happen with Russia and Ukraine, and we hope and work hard to achieve it," he concluded.