Trump Expresses Optimism as European Counterproposal Emerges in Ukraine Peace Talks
WASHINGTON D.C. – Former President Donald Trump stated he is “quite pleased” with ongoing peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, as a European counterproposal to an initial 28-point peace plan reportedly surfaces. The advancement comes amid a shifting timeline and concerns that Ukraine could be pressured into an unfavorable agreement.
Trump, speaking on November 22nd, clarified that the initial proposal was not Washington’s final offer. He previously indicated Ukraine should make a decision by Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., November 27th. However, Senator Marco Rubio suggested the deadline of November 27th could be extended “by several days,” expressing optimism a consensus woudl be reached “in a very reasonable period of time, very soon.” He emphasized the urgency, stating, “Whether it’s Thursday, whether it’s Friday, whether it’s wednesday, whether it’s Monday of the following week, we want it to be soon, as people are going to die.”
The initial peace plan, widely criticized for appearing to favor Russia, has been met with a counterproposal from Europe, discussed during talks in Geneva. According to a Reuters report, the European counterproposal increases the proposed peacetime limit on Ukraine’s military to 800,000 troops, up from the initial 600,000.
Key changes in the counterproposal include the removal of recognition for Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territories – specifically, the Donbas region encompassing Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts – which was stipulated in the original plan.
The counterproposal also addresses security concerns, calling for U.S.-backed security guarantees mirroring NATO’s Article 5, which considers an attack on one member an attack on all. However, it acknowledges that Ukraine’s NATO membership hinges on unanimous consensus within the alliance, which currently does not exist, and prohibits the permanent stationing of NATO troops on Ukrainian territory in peacetime.
Other provisions in the European counterproposal include the return of all civilian detainees and hostages, including children, and placing the zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant under international control, with electricity generated divided between Ukraine and Russia.
The counterproposal retains some concessions to Russia, including allowing its potential re-entry into the Group of Eight (currently operating as the G7).
Senator Rubio recently faced scrutiny after reportedly telling U.S. senators that the initial 28-point plan originated as a Russian proposal being passed along by the U.S.
