European leaders and President Zelensky are urgently working to revise key aspects of a US peace proposal before the November 27 deadline, aiming to make it more palatable to Kyiv. The proposed framework, which includes Ukraine recognizing regions under Russian control, holding elections, and abandoning NATO ambitions, is being met with resistance. While the Trump administration is preparing to brief European allies on the plan, and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll is leading the effort, the US has also indicated flexibility on the timeline. Both Zelensky and Putin have commented on the plan, with Putin suggesting it could be a basis for settlement, while Zelensky is working with both America and Europe to find a solution.
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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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Russia paying “lip service” to Trump with a new peace plan, as Kaja Kallas warns, is a situation that’s deeply troubling, especially when considering the human cost. It’s difficult to see a so-called “peace plan” that, in the eyes of many, simply serves to legitimize Russian aggression and potentially crush the hopes of those who have suffered so greatly. This isn’t just a political maneuver; it has real, devastating consequences for Ukrainian families who are already struggling to cope with the war’s impact.
The fear that Russia will simply re-invade, even after such a plan, is a valid one, and it’s something that Ukrainian refugees themselves are acutely aware of.… Continue reading
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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General Fabien Mandon, France’s new army chief, sparked controversy with a warning to mayors that France must prepare to “lose its children” in a potential war, citing a lack of national will as the country’s greatest weakness. The comments, advocating for psychological, economic, and military readiness against a possible Russian confrontation, drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum, with some labeling the remarks as warmongering and others supporting the call for preparation. The warning aligns with previous statements by Mandon, who has emphasized the need for France to be ready for conflict within the next few years, and was defended by the Defense Minister. Notably, other European defense officials have echoed the need for preparation, with the German Defence Minister suggesting a potential timeframe for Russian aggression as early as 2028.
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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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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood