President Donald Trump indicated a potential revision of his peace plan for Ukraine during a recent interaction with reporters outside the White House. Before departing for Joint Base Andrews on Saturday afternoon, Trump clarified that his proposal is not a final offer, responding to inquiries about whether he had set an ultimatum for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “No, not my final offer,” he stated, prompting speculation regarding adjustments to key terms in the proposal.
Previously, reports suggested that Zelensky had until November 27, 2023, to agree to the terms laid out in the draft. Trump reiterated his desire to end the conflict, asserting, “The Ukraine war with Russia should’ve never happened. If I were president, it would’ve never happened. We’re trying to get it ended.” His comments reflect an ongoing commitment to finding a resolution, stating, “One way or the other, we have to get it ended.”
A draft of the proposed peace plan, consisting of 28 points, was obtained by the Associated Press and other media organizations. Key elements include Ukraine ceding territory, remaining outside of NATO, and limiting its military forces to 600,000 personnel. In exchange, Russia would return smaller regions it currently controls. This arrangement has drawn criticism from defense experts at the Institute for the Study of War, who argue that the plan may instead provoke further Russian aggression.
The Institute remarked, “The battle lines set forth by the proposed peace plan would additionally heavily favor another Russian invasion.” This assertion raises serious questions about the viability of Trump’s proposal in achieving lasting peace.
Zelensky, addressing the nation on Friday, expressed the gravity of the situation. He emphasized that Ukraine might face a difficult decision between preserving its sovereignty and maintaining its relationship with the United States. While he did not outright reject Trump’s plan, he called for fairness in negotiations and pledged to engage constructively with Washington and other allies. Zelensky described the current period as “truly one of the most difficult moments in our history,” acknowledging the complexities of the ongoing conflict.
On the same day, Zelensky had a nearly hour-long discussion with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll regarding the peace proposal. Their conversation highlighted the urgent need for a resolution, as Zelensky noted, “Ukraine may soon face an extremely difficult choice.”
In a measured response, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the U.S. proposals, stating they “could form the basis for a final peace settlement.” This cautious optimism from Moscow adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as the international community continues to monitor developments closely.
As discussions progress, the stakes remain high for all parties involved, with the potential for significant geopolitical implications depending on the outcome.
