Former President Donald Trump has declared that his proposed peace plan for Ukraine is undergoing final adjustments, with only a handful of disagreement points remaining before potential implementation. The announcement comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict that has ravaged Eastern Europe.
Trump's Conditions for Presidential Meetings
In a significant development, Trump revealed that two senior US officials will conduct separate meetings with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the proposed peace terms. Through his Truth Social platform, the former president expressed optimism about reaching a resolution, stating he hopes "PEACE can be accomplished AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!"
Trump outlined specific conditions for his potential involvement in final negotiations, writing: "I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL, or in its final stages." This cautious approach indicates the sensitivity of the ongoing discussions.
Diplomatic Challenges and Warnings
Despite optimistic statements from Washington, significant obstacles remain according to diplomatic sources. A Ukrainian diplomat has warned that major sticking points persist, particularly concerning the prospect of territorial concessions that might be required for any agreement.
Meanwhile, Moscow has issued its own firm position through Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who stressed that Russia will not permit any agreement to deviate substantially from its objectives. Lavrov specifically referenced understandings reached between Trump and Putin during their summer meeting in Alaska, warning that if the "spirit and letter of Anchorage is erased... it will be a fundamentally different situation."
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has emphasised the importance of transparency in negotiations, telling allies during a virtual "coalition of the willing" meeting: "We firmly believe security decisions about Ukraine must include Ukraine". He cautioned against arrangements made "behind the back of a country or its people," noting the high risk such agreements might fail.
International Support and Ongoing Violence
The diplomatic efforts continue against a backdrop of persistent violence. Early Wednesday morning, Kyiv suffered a missile and drone barrage that killed seven people and disrupted power and heating systems, forcing residents to seek shelter underground. Simultaneously, Ukrainian attacks on southern Russia resulted in three fatalities and property damage.
International support for Ukraine remains strong, with coalition leaders including Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz agreeing with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to accelerate work on security guarantees for Ukraine. French President Macron described the peace efforts as gathering momentum but noted they are "clearly at a critical juncture".
During the annual White House turkey pardon ceremony ahead of Thanksgiving, Trump provided a brief update to reporters, stating: "I think we're getting close to a deal. We'll find out. I thought that would have been an easier one, but I think we're making progress." As negotiations continue, the international community watches closely for signs of a breakthrough that could end Europe's largest conflict since World War II.
