On Saturday, President Donald Trump turned up the heat on Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging him to either back the White House’s peace plan by Thursday or “keep fighting his little heart out.”
This remark came during a briefing with reporters in Washington and is part of the administration’s ongoing push to get Ukraine’s leadership to accept a proposed 28-point plan aimed at ending the war initiated by Russia’s invasion back in February 2022. However, this plan has faced backlash, including from some Republican lawmakers who argue it leans too much in Russia’s favor.
The proposal demands Ukraine to make significant concessions that many see as non-negotiable—such as handing over territory to Russia and drastically shrinking the size of its military. Additionally, it would involve a complete ban on NATO troops in Ukraine.
This plan was crafted by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, in conjunction with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, and was delivered to Zelensky on Thursday. Since the suggestion, the White House has been persistently urging for a decision to be made by Thanksgiving, risking the loss of U.S. support if Ukraine doesn’t comply.
However, on Saturday, Trump indicated there could be some flexibility in the negotiations.
When asked if what he proposed was final, Trump replied, “No,” expressing a desire to achieve peace, stating it should have occurred long ago and emphasizing the urgency to bring an end to the conflict.
This proposal has raised immediate concerns among Ukraine’s allies in Europe.
During a Group of 20 meeting in Johannesburg on the same day, a group of over a dozen European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, worked on drafting a counterproposal. They criticized the original plan, saying it needs more work.
In a joint statement, this group expressed their worries concerning the proposed limits on Ukraine’s military capacity, as it could leave the country exposed to future attacks. They reiterated that any elements related to the European Union or NATO would require the agreement of their members.
The European consensus is that no restrictions should be placed on Kyiv’s military. Their revised proposal suggests Ukraine would regain control over crucial sites like the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and Kakhovka Dam, while also enjoying “unhindered passages” along the Dnieper River and control over the Kinburn Split. Territorial disputes are to be postponed until after a ceasefire.
Senior officials from France, Germany, Britain, and others are expected to participate in conversations about the Ukraine peace proposal in Geneva on Sunday, according to an anonymous European official.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin informed his security council that the U.S. proposal could be a foundation for a final peace agreement, although he commented that the details of the plan have not been fully discussed with Russia. He stated, “Russia is open to peace talks, but this necessitates meaningful discussions about every detail of the proposed plan.”
In the United States, Trump’s peace initiative has even drawn criticisms from some Republican senators, who view it as giving a pass to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) pointed out on X that “certain aspects” of the U.S. proposal are concerning and can be improved upon. Graham emphasized that the resolution must address the fates of approximately 20,000 Ukrainian children taken by Russian forces and maintain that any peace agreement should honorably and justly conclude the war without laying the foundations for further tensions.
Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), who leads the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated he doubts this “peace plan” would be effective, calling out the inherent problems it includes. He argued against rewarding punitive behavior on Russia’s part and stressed the need for vigilance concerning any arms control discussions with Putin.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned that granting benefits to Russia for their atrocities would be disastrous for U.S. interests. Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), the chair of the Senate Banking Committee, said on Saturday he strongly supports imposing strict sanctions on Russia to cripple Putin’s military capabilities and to fortify America’s position in negotiations.
Contributions from Michael Birnbaum, Ellen Francis, and Maegan Vazquez aided this report.
