US Peace Plan Proposes Ukrainian Land Cession Amid Deadly Russian Strike on Ternopil

In Ternopil, emergency teams are digging through debris after missiles struck residential buildings.

Ukraine:

A source informed AFP Wednesday that a new US peace plan would require Kyiv to surrender territory and reduce its military by more than 50%, as a Russian missile attack killed 26 people, including three children, in western Ukraine.

The proposal appears to mirror Russia's extensive demands for ending the conflict—conditions that Ukraine has consistently rejected as equivalent to surrender.

This unexpected initiative emerges as Russian missiles struck Ternopil, a city far from the frontlines, in one of the deadliest attacks on western Ukraine since the 2022 invasion began.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's attempts to engage President Donald Trump's administration in peace negotiations during his Turkey visit were unsuccessful after an expected American representative failed to attend.

According to a source familiar with the draft US peace proposal who requested anonymity, the plan includes "recognition of Crimea and other regions that the Russians have taken" and "reduction of the army to 400,000 personnel."

The proposal would also require Ukraine to relinquish all long-range weapons.

"An important nuance is that we don't understand whether this is really Trump's story" or "his entourage's," the official added.

The source noted it was "unclear" what concessions Russia would make in return.

Meanwhile, US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll arrived in Kyiv leading a high-profile Pentagon delegation to meet Ukrainian officials and explore conflict resolution options, according to US broadcaster CBS News, citing military sources. Driscoll met with Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmygal on Wednesday.

Ukraine's military commander Oleksandr Syrsky described his meeting with the US delegation as "productive."

"I once again stressed that reinforcing the protection of Ukraine's airspace, expanding our long-range strike capabilities against enemy military targets and maintaining and stabilising the front line will undermine the offensive potential of the adversary," he stated in social media posts.

American media outlet Axios previously reported that Moscow and Washington had been developing a confidential plan to end the nearly four-year war.

The Kremlin declined to comment on the report, later stating there was no new progress on peace negotiations. AFP has contacted the White House for comment.

Russia currently occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, much of it devastated by combat.

'Too Late'

In Ternopil, AFP witnessed dozens of rescue workers searching through rubble after cruise missiles hit apartment buildings, using cranes to access the destroyed structures. Thick grey smoke filled the streets following explosions heard at 7:00 am (0500 GMT).

City officials reported that fires had caused chlorine levels in the air to increase six-fold above normal levels, advising Ternopil's 200,000 residents to remain indoors with windows closed.

Wrapped in a pink blanket, 46-year-old Oksana waited anxiously for news about her 20-year-old son, Bohdan.

"I went to work, and my son stayed at home. I called him from the minibus and said 'Bohdan, get dressed and come out'," she recounted. "He said: 'Mum, don't worry, everything will be fine.' But it was too late," she told AFP.

Her sister, Natalia Bachinska, said the family lived on the ninth floor.

"Their apartment is completely gone... He still has not been found."

Emergency services reported that 26 people, including three children, were killed, with another 92 people, including 18 children, wounded.

"These were people who were simply at home, peacefully sleeping," Zelensky said.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk expressed being "appalled" by the civilian casualties in the attack.

"The horror of powerful long-range missiles combined with waves of drones increasingly being used by Russian forces was again painfully laid bare in Ukraine this morning," Turk stated.

"This is how Russia's 'peace plans' look in reality," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga.

Winter Looming

The Ternopil attack comes as Russia continues targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter, while Kyiv's stretched military faces mounting pressure on the frontlines.

Ukraine had framed Zelensky's unexpected Turkey visit as part of efforts to reengage the United States in peace negotiations.

However, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff did not attend despite Ukraine indicating he was expected to participate.

No Russian officials were present at the talks.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged both warring parties to join negotiations in Istanbul, where three rounds of talks this year have only resulted in prisoner exchanges and the return of fallen soldiers' remains.

Zelensky expressed his desire to resume prisoner exchanges with Russia before year's end.

Ukraine's primary hope remains that Washington can pressure Russia to the negotiating table, including through sanctions.

On the battlefield, Russian forces continue making slow but steady advances, and Moscow insists it will continue military operations unless Ukraine accepts its demands.