Ukrainian PM urges tougher sanctions on Russia as top US army official visits Kyiv; no word on rumoured peace plan

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Thursday met US Army Secretary Daniel P Driscoll and the discussions allowed both sides “to assess the situation on the ground and to witness first-hand the consequences of Russian aggression.”

According to The Guardian report, Svyrydenko condemned the continuing Russian strikes and said that although the current international pressure campaign is having an impact, it remains essential to further tighten sanctions against the aggressor state.

“While Russia continues killing innocent civilians, destroying homes, and targeting critical infrastructure, the strategy of pressure on Russia is proving effective. It is crucial to further strengthen energy and financial sanctions against the aggressor state,” she was quoted as saying.

The prime minister also said she reaffirmed Ukraine’s participation in the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, established in cooperation with US President Donald Trump.

There was no reference during the meeting to the rumored US peace proposal.

US media had earlier reported that Washington and Moscow have been quietly working on a draft plan to end the nearly four-year war, triggered by Russia’s 2022 invasion.

A Ukrainian source familiar with the proposals told AFP the plan would require Kyiv to cede territory and cut its armed forces by more than half — terms the source described as equivalent to capitulation.

The Kremlin said it had no comment on the reports, while both Washington and Kyiv have also refrained from publicly addressing the alleged proposals.

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to meet top Pentagon officials in Kyiv later on Thursday, his office announced, as reports circulate of a US plan to end the war on terms seen as favourable to Moscow.

The meeting comes a day after Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, skipped a scheduled encounter with Zelenskyy in Turkey — an unexpected setback for Kyiv’s efforts to revive diplomatic engagement and encourage Washington to increase pressure on Russia.

The visit also follows one of the deadliest Russian attacks of the year, in which at least 26 people were killed on Wednesday.

A Pentagon delegation headed by Driscoll arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday and met with Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyga.

Zelenskyy’s aide, Dmytro Lytvyn, told reporters the president intends to meet the US officials as well. US visits to Kyiv have been rare since Trump returned to office in January.

With inputs from agencies