Congressional Group Denounces Trump-Peace Plan for Ukraine as Capitulation

A bipartisan group of lawmakers denounced the Trump-Putin peace plan for Ukraine, declaring it “unacceptable” and a premise for Ukraine’s surrender and capitulation to Russia.

They said it does not offer a path to lasting peace while rewarding Russia for its unprovoked invasion, illegal seizure of Ukraine’s Crimea, pressures Kyiv to limit its defense capabilities and abandon its NATO aspirations.

The Congressional Ukraine Caucus issued its statement earlier this week after the plan was revealed. The caucus was formed 1997, some six years after Ukraine declared its independence from Moscow’s subjugation.

The Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus, Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), along with Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-02), chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation issued the following statement:

The proposed ‘peace plan’ for Ukraine appears to favor the interests of the aggressor — Dictator Vladimir Putin — over the sovereignty and security of a democratic Ukraine. That is unacceptable. This framework does not offer a genuine path to lasting peace, but instead, demands the surrender and capitulation of Ukraine to Russian aggression. It rewards Russia’s unprovoked invasion, illegal seizure of Ukrainian territory, such as Crimea, and pressures Ukraine to limit its defense capabilities and abandon its aspirations for NATO membership. 

Furthermore, Russia’s ambitions do not end at Ukraine’s borders. Putin continues to seek broader influence in Europe. Accepting this proposed plan not only submits Ukraine’s independence to Russian tyranny, but leaves all of Europe even more vulnerable to future Russian aggression. A responsible approach must support Ukraine’s sovereignty, strengthen its defense, and hold Russia accountable for its actions in coordination with our NATO and European Allies.

Reports indicate the plan was developed primarily by US and Russian officials, with limited to no consultation from Kyiv or key European partners. Allies have rightly rejected the proposal, describing it as a framework to reward aggression rather than defending Ukrainian freedom and securing peace through strength.

The Administration’s backing of this plan, raises serious concerns. As Members of the Free World, united across political lines, we call for decisive and principled action:

•Reject any framework that requires Ukraine surrender further territory or cede legal authority over its sovereign land.

•Maintain and strengthen sanctions on Russia until it fully withdraws and makes reparations.

•Ensure Ukraine is a full, equal partner in any, and all, negotiations — not a passive recipient of Moscow-dictated terms.

•Provide robust, enforceable security guarantees that deter further aggression.

•Coordinate closely with NATO and European allies to uphold international norms and prevent renewed conflict in Europe.

The path to lasting peace must be rooted in justice and the sovereignty of Ukraine’s people. History is unambiguous: appeasing aggressor does not end conflict, it enables its expansion. That warning echoes especially loud today on Holodomor Remembrance Day, during which the world commemorates the millions of Ukrainians murdered in the man-made, genocidal famines orchestrated by Moscow from 1932-33. Allowing Russia to reclaim authority over Ukraine today would ignore that history and reopen the door to the same oppression Ukrainians have fought for generations to overcome.

Accepting this proposal as it is being reported would undermine European and NATO security, weaken Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, and fail to address Russian aggression. The international community must remain firm in supporting Ukraine, upholding the principles of territorial integrity and self-determination, and rejecting any plan that rewards an aggressor. Lasting peace comes not from conceding to aggression, but from the strength and unity of free nations that refuse to bow to it.