U.S. politicians have strongly criticized a new peace proposal, reportedly pushed by a U.S. administration, warning that it rewards Russia and undermines international security. The proposal, which demands sweeping concessions from Ukraine, including surrendering territory and limiting its armed forces, has been met with bipartisan skepticism, with many viewing it as capitulation. Several senators, speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum, revealed that the plan is not the actual U.S. plan but rather a “wish list of the Russians”. Lawmakers have also launched initiatives to counter the proposal, including a discharge petition to force a vote on stronger sanctions against Russia.
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Yakutia has temporarily suspended payments to Russian military personnel due to regional budget shortfalls and the inability to accurately forecast demand. Finance Minister Ivan Alekseev confirmed the pause, citing difficulties in predicting the number of individuals requiring funds, but assured that the government had secured the necessary funds. The republic had previously allocated significant funds per contract soldier, including federal, regional, and municipal contributions. This action follows a trend of regional governments across Russia, including Tatarstan and Saint Petersburg, reducing or eliminating enlistment bonuses due to increasing budget deficits.
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US officials have reportedly informed NATO allies of their expectation to pressure President Zelenskyy into accepting a peace deal with Russia in the coming days, with the threat of a much harsher deal if he refuses. The proposed agreement, which has been negotiated with limited ally input, contains potentially unacceptable provisions for Kyiv, including territorial concessions and amnesty for war crimes. These terms, which are being presented as non-negotiable, have led to concern among European allies regarding Russia’s influence in the negotiations. The US is pushing for a rapid resolution, with the aim of having the deal finalized by Thanksgiving, and sees the agreement as “beneficial to Ukraine” even with its challenging terms.
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Polish President Karol Nawrocki emphasized that any peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, instigated by the Russian Federation, must be approved by Kyiv. He asserted that Ukraine, as the victim of Russian aggression, deserves the decisive voice in peace negotiations, supported by the US and EU. Furthermore, Nawrocki highlighted that proposals for peace must consider Russia’s history of disregarding agreements. Ultimately, any peace agreement must not concede to the aggressor’s strategic objectives.
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In South Africa, amidst the G20 summit, a joint statement issued by multiple world leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, expressed concerns about U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to end the war in Ukraine. The plan, which Zelenskyy must accept or reject by a deadline, is seen as potentially favoring Russia by proposing territorial concessions and limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces. World leaders, who met on the edges of the G20 summit, are committed to ensuring that any future peace is sustainable and are ready to engage to protect Ukraine’s interest. Trump has stated that Zelenskyy will have to accept the plan, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested it could form a basis for a final peace settlement. However, leaders like Keir Starmer have noted Russia’s lack of commitment to peace and its continued aggression.
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Following the leak of a US peace plan, Russia stated it has yet to receive any official communication from the US regarding the proposal. The plan reportedly includes provisions such as Ukraine ceding territory, reducing its military, and forgoing NATO membership, which has drawn careful responses from Kyiv. While Zelensky expressed a willingness to discuss the proposals, the Kremlin emphasized its openness to peace talks. The plan also proposes reintegrating Russia into the global economy, but has faced criticism from both Ukrainians under occupation and those in Kyiv, who view it as a continuation of the war.
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Linguists have observed the unusual prevalence of specific phrases in the draft peace plan, such as “it is expected,” which closely mirrors the Russian phrase “ozhidayetsya.” The plan, secretly negotiated by President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and a Russian advisor, notably excluded Ukrainian and European officials. Under the controversial proposal, Ukraine would surrender significant territories to Russia and be prohibited from joining NATO, while Russia would regain G8 membership. Furthermore, the plan includes substantial military reductions for Ukraine and the lifting of sanctions against Russia, contingent on future Russian actions.
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President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is facing a critical moment due to Donald Trump’s demand for a US-backed peace plan with a deadline of Thanksgiving. This plan requires Ukraine to concede territory to Russia, among other concessions, which Zelenskyy viewed as potentially jeopardizing national interests. He has been given an impossible choice of retaining its national dignity or risking the loss of US support and facing a harsh winter. Meanwhile, European leaders expressed opposition to the proposal, emphasizing that any peace agreement must be fair and uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty, in contrast to the plan’s call for major concessions.
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A leaked peace proposal drafted by the US and Russia shows evidence of having been influenced by Russian language. Journalist Luke Harding pointed out that the passive construction “it is expected” in the third clause, along with other word choices like “ambiguities” and “enshrine,” sound more natural when translated directly from Russian. Furthermore, the use of “the new territory” to describe occupied regions of Ukraine also supports this claim. The settlement, which was reportedly drafted in secret talks, has been met with criticism from Kyiv and its allies, who view it as a concession to Moscow’s demands.
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President Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine is facing a critical moment, with the US and Russia proposing a 28-point plan to end the war. The plan reportedly includes concessions from Ukraine, such as ceding territory and scaling down its military, while Russia demands recognition of its control over certain regions and an end to NATO aspirations. Moscow also seeks reintegration into the global economy, the lifting of sanctions, and amnesty for all parties involved, including its troops. In return, Russia offers vague assurances of non-aggression towards other countries and desires a comprehensive non-aggression agreement with Europe.
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John Q. Hosedrinker