France, Nov. 24 -- The US peace lan requires Ukraine to cede Crimea and much of the Donbas to Russian sovereignty, cap its militaryat 600,000 personnel, and constitutionally commit tonever joining NATO.

The proposed settlement also offers phased sanctions relief and economic reintegration for Russia, in exchange for a non-aggression pact and "reliable" US-led security guarantees for Ukraine.

Notably, European leaders learned of the plan only belatedly, and it was drafted without Ukrainian input, raising alarm about its fairness and longevity.' 'Difficult choice'

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky faces what he calls "a very difficult choice", weighing the prospect of losing vital US support against the indignity of territorial loss an...