Ukrainian lawmaker confirms abandoned peace plan that would have kept Crimea under Russian control

According to Ukrainian deputy Olexiy Honcharenko, a peace draft circulated among officials detailed a Russian withdrawal to borders similar to those before the conflict began, while Russia would keep practical authority over Crimea without an official annexation. The scheme called for a Russian-financed land corridor covering a highway and railway, the return of Melitopol, and the exclusion of Tokmak due to security concerns.

NATO nations were to guarantee a ceasefire, and Russia would commence security negotiations with the United States. The document also mentioned involvement by former Nord Stream 2 chief Matthias Warnig, film producer Oleksandr Rodnianski, and businessman Roman Abramovich. President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the proposal, and new direct talks are slated for early November in Abu Dhabi under U.S. mediation.