Former US President Donald Trump has asserted that significant progress is being made towards a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, claiming Russia is now 'making concessions' and that Kyiv is 'happy' with the direction of the talks.
Trump's Air Force One Announcement
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to his Florida estate for the Thanksgiving holiday, Mr Trump provided an update on the sensitive negotiations. He declared, 'we're making progress' on a deal and expressed his willingness to personally meet with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once an agreement is within reach.
He notably scrapped a previously announced deadline that coincided with Thanksgiving, stating, 'The deadline for me is when it's over.' He also downplayed the significance of the White House's initial 28-point peace plan, which had caused considerable alarm in Ukraine, characterising it as 'just a map.'
When questioned on whether Ukraine was being pressured to cede too much territory, Mr Trump suggested that 'over the next couple of months [that] might be gotten by Russia anyway.' He framed Moscow's primary concession as a promise to cease hostilities and not seize additional land.
Diplomatic Warnings and Sticking Points
Despite the optimistic tone from the former president, a Ukrainian diplomat immediately cautioned that major obstacles persist. The primary point of contention remains the prospect of significant territorial concessions by Ukraine.
This warning was echoed from Moscow, where Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed that the Kremlin would not accept any agreement that deviates substantially from its core objectives. He issued a pointed reminder that any amended peace plan must adhere to the understanding reached between Mr Trump and Mr Putin during their summer meeting in Alaska. 'If the spirit and letter of Anchorage is erased... it will be a fundamentally different situation,' Lavrov stated.
Adding to the complex backdrop, President Zelenskyy addressed a virtual coalition of allied nations, emphasising that 'security decisions about Ukraine must include Ukraine.' He warned against deals made 'behind the back of a country,' asserting that such arrangements carry a high risk of failure.
Ongoing Violence and Next Steps
As diplomats continue their work, the brutal reality of war continues on the ground. The city of Kyiv was struck by a barrage of missiles and hundreds of drones in a single morning, resulting in seven fatalities and disrupting essential power and heating systems. Simultaneously, Ukrainian attacks on southern Russia led to three deaths and damage to homes.
In terms of the diplomatic process, Mr Trump confirmed that his negotiator, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week. Furthermore, American Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll is due to travel to Kyiv for talks.
Andriy Yermak, the chief of Ukraine's presidential staff, sought to project unity, writing that 'Ukraine has never been and will never be an obstacle to peace' and promising thorough preparation for a potential presidential meeting.
French President Emmanuel Macron captured the precarious moment, noting that while peace efforts are gaining momentum, they are 'clearly at a critical juncture.' The world watches as these high-stakes negotiations, fraught with complexity and shadowed by violence, attempt to find a path to ending Europe's largest conflict in decades.
