Next week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will face mounting pressure from the United States to reach a deal to end the war with Russia. This push for a peaceful settlement comes amidst internal political turmoil within Ukraine, fueled by a corruption scandal and demands for government reshuffles. Simultaneously, the US is sending a special envoy to Moscow and a renewed Ukrainian delegation is in the US for negotiations. Further complicating matters, Zelenskyy is facing pressure to replace key figures within his administration, potentially weakening his political control.
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Ukraine’s leaders have established firm conditions for any peace deal with Russia, including no recognition of Russian land grabs, limitations on its defense forces, or vetoes on future alliances. President Zelensky highlighted the demand for recognition of stolen territory as the primary obstacle in negotiations, emphasizing that borders should not be altered through force. Amid intensive talks in Geneva, Ukrainian, US, and European officials have drafted a “refined peace framework” addressing key issues such as Ukraine’s army size and prisoner exchanges, but the critical matters of territory and NATO membership remain unresolved. The US has also proposed a 10-year security pact and is encouraging unity within Ukraine as the discussions accelerate, aiming to present the final plan to Moscow pending European backing.
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According to The Washington Post, President Trump has had minimal involvement in the 28-point peace plan drafted by his administration to address the war in Ukraine. An unnamed official described Trump’s awareness as superficial, while also noting that the administration has experienced internal “chaos.” US officials have indicated the plan is not set in stone, with room for negotiation with Ukrainian and European partners, and the US has stressed the urgency of reaching an agreement. The deadline for the agreement has been set for Thanksgiving, and questions remain as to whether the deadline will be met.
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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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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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Exclusive: US threatens to cut intel, weapons to press Ukraine into peace deal, sources say. Well, this is a bombshell, isn’t it? It appears the United States is leaning on Ukraine, suggesting a “peace deal” that seems less about peace and more about surrender. We’re talking about a plan, a 28-point plan, that essentially aligns with some of Russia’s core demands. This includes ceding territory, scaling back the Ukrainian military, and, critically, staying out of NATO. It’s a stark contrast to what many thought was the US position, and honestly, it’s a bit shocking.
The whole thing feels incredibly heavy-handed, doesn’t it?… Continue reading
US threatens to cut intel, weapons to press Ukraine into peace deal – sources, and honestly, it’s just… a lot to process. The news, if true, feels like a gut punch. It’s hard to believe, but then again, looking back at the trajectory of events, maybe it’s not that shocking. There’s a sense of inevitability, like we’re watching a predetermined outcome unfold. The idea of the US potentially pulling the rug out from under Ukraine, threatening to withhold crucial support to force a peace deal on Russia’s terms… it’s a hard pill to swallow.
It’s almost like a betrayal of everything America is supposed to stand for.… Continue reading
President Trump stated he would not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin unless there was a clear path towards a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, expressing disappointment in the current situation. Trump previously held a positive relationship with Putin and believed a resolution would be more easily achieved than other diplomatic breakthroughs. White House officials have indicated that a summit is not entirely off the table, contingent upon both sides demonstrating genuine interest in a favorable peace deal. This follows the imposition of U.S. sanctions against Russia, targeting its oil companies, in an effort to pressure a ceasefire.
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In anticipation of a potential peace deal brokered by President Trump, the U.K. is prepared to deploy British troops to Ukraine to help secure a long-term peace agreement. Defense Secretary John Healey has stated that the cost of deploying a “coalition of the willing” could exceed £100 million, and the U.K. has already begun preparing its troops, with the involvement of 200 military planners from 30 nations. This initiative comes amid reports that Trump may be pushing Ukraine to accept Russia’s terms for a deal, including ceding territory, while Ukraine continues to push for aid. The situation is further complicated by ongoing Russian attacks and discussions around the need for air defense systems.
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Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, stated that Ukraine should not cede territory as part of a peace deal with Russia. Kallas argued that allowing Russia to keep captured territories would send a dangerous message, encouraging aggression. Her comments follow discussions where some proposed Ukraine concede land to end the war, a stance Kallas believes undermines international law. Drawing from her own country’s history of occupation, she emphasized the importance of not legitimizing territorial gains achieved through force.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood