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Diplomacy is working overtime these days.
Last week, the U.S. presented a 28-point peace plan to end the fighting between Russia and Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leadership was allegedly presented with the plan just before the weekend, but it contained several points that seemed impossible for Ukraine to accept, including never joining NATO and ceding vast amounts of territory to Russia.
Over the weekend, Europe then presented a counterproposal for peace with some important changes to the 28 points.
Since then, not much has been disclosed from the ongoing diplomatic talks, but something seems to be moving.
At least if a Donald Trump post on Truth Social is to be trusted.
“Big progress”
In the post, published Monday, Nov. 24, Trump cryptically states:
“Is it really possible that big progress is being made in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine??? Don’t believe it until you see it, but something good just may be happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
We can all agree that it would be a good thing for the bloodshed in Ukraine to end, but opinions differ on how to end it.
Capitulation or a fair deal?
The U.S. peace plan has been slammed far and wide for including too many of Russia’s demands without Russia having to give much in return.
In the draft, which was released by Axios last week, Ukraine would have to give up ever becoming a member of NATO, the Ukrainian army would have to be limited to 600,000 personnel, and Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk would be recognized as de facto Russian.
Russia has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine never become a member of NATO, that Ukraine be “demilitarized,” and that several Ukrainian territories in the east of the country be recognized as Russian.
Critics of the plan say that the deal includes basically all of Russia’s demands and that Russia does not have to give anything substantial in return.
“Ungrateful!”
Donald Trump has repeatedly changed his rhetoric regarding the war in Ukraine. He has consistently stated that the fighting should end, but he has shifted between blaming Russia, Ukraine, and both for the war.
In another post on Truth Social, published during the weekend, Trump criticized the Ukrainian leadership for having “expressed zero gratitude” for the American efforts to end the war.
On Friday, Trump confirmed that he had given Ukraine an ultimatum regarding the peace deal, stating that “they’re going to have to like it.”
Zelensky: Loss of dignity or a key partner
In a video speech to the nation released Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Ukrainian public that the country is facing a decision on whether to lose its dignity or lose its key ally.
By “key ally,” he refers to the U.S., which has previously threatened to pull its support for Ukraine.
Sources: Truth Social, Axios, Reuters, The Guardian, AFP
