Good points exist, but there are also traps: MP evaluates new peace plan
Roman Kostenko says that Russia will try to delay, since the Kremlin sees no point in ending the war at this stage.
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Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security and Defence, and SSU Colonel Roman Kostenko
Different versions of the so-called new «peace plan» to conclude the war in Ukraine keep appearing. Public discussions focus on potential agreements over territory, security guarantees, and Ukraine’s future direction, but no final document has been published yet.
Ukrainian MP, Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security and Defence, and SSU Colonel Roman Kostenko spoke about this in a comment to 24 Kanal.
He clarified what is really known about the plan and what aspects deserve attention.
He said that neither the parliament nor the relevant committee has officially seen the document — only the negotiating team is working with it.
«We haven’t seen this plan. Neither the committee nor the MPs at all. Only the negotiating group has seen it, ” Kostenko said.
He pointed out that all current discussions are based on leaks and media reports, and certain formulations may still change repeatedly. At the same time, such documents typically include provisions beneficial to Ukraine as well as clauses that could present risks.
«This plan has good points that shouldn’t be removed. For instance, that Ukraine’s sovereignty is upheld or that security guarantees must be provided, ” the lawmaker highlighted.
At the same time, Kostenko says that Russia typically embeds bargaining conditions in such proposals, especially on territorial matters. This includes attempts to secure control over Crimea, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, and various options for freezing the front line or creating «grey zones.»
«The key points for Russia are the territorial issues they want to take by peaceful means, ” he explained.
The MP pointed out that Moscow follows a tried-and-tested approach: it first presents a package containing acceptable, neutral, and unacceptable points, then negotiates over secondary issues, while aiming to preserve its territorial demands.
Separately, Kostenko expressed doubt about the Kremlin’s genuine interest in quickly ending the war. In his view, Russia is using the negotiation process as a tool to buy time and try to improve its positions on the front.
«I don’t see any reason for Russia to end this war now. They hold some initiative and will try to stall, ” the MP said.
With such a strategy, Moscow may demonstrate a show of readiness for a ceasefire while keeping its strategic goals unchanged, staying at the negotiation table and pushing its own demands in parallel.