President Donald Trump seems to be reconsidering his proposed peace agreement aimed at resolving Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, following significant pressure from European leaders, particularly the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
On Saturday, Starmer reached out to Trump to discuss the controversial plan, which mandates Ukraine to cede a substantial portion of its territory, significantly reduce its military, and conduct elections within a 100-day timeframe.
While the specifics of the conversation between Trump and Starmer remain undisclosed, sources describe it as a ‘good and constructive’ dialogue.
This development follows Trump’s ultimatum to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, giving him until next Thursday to accept the terms of the deal.
However, after his conversation with Starmer—who also phoned Zelensky the same day to reiterate his support for Ukraine—Trump seemed to ease his stance on the previously non-negotiable conditions.
Addressing reporters this afternoon, Trump remarked that the peace proposal is ‘not my final offer’ and emphasized, ‘We’d like to get to peace. It should’ve happened a long time ago.’
‘The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened. If I were president, it never would have happened. We’re trying to get it ended. One way or the other we have to get it ended,’ he added.
When asked what would happen in Zelensky didn’t agree to the deal, Trump said: ‘Then he can continue to fight his little heart out.’
Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to be upset with this shift from Trump. On Friday, he welcomed the peace plan as ‘the basis for a final peace settlement.’
European nations have pushed back against Trump’s proposed peace plan, which was brokered with the help of the Kremlin without Ukraine’s input.
President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Saturday and appeared to walk back his earlier, harsh deadline for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept his proposed peace plan
This came after Trump had a phone conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who unambiguously supports Ukraine over Russia in the ongoing war
Putin did stress that the text of the deal ‘has not been discussed with us in any substantive way’.
‘The US administration has so far been unable to secure the consent of the Ukrainian side. Ukraine is against it. Apparently, Ukraine and its European allies are still under illusions and the dream of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield,’ he added.
European nations have pushed back against Trump’s proposed peace plan, which was brokered with the help of the Kremlin without Ukraine’s input.
In a joint statement released after the Group of 20 Meeting on Saturday, European leaders said they believed the plan would bring the conflict closer to an end.
The statement — signed by Germany, France, Britain, Japan and Canada and the European Union — argued that Trump’s plan ‘includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace’.
‘We believe therefore that the draft is a basis which will require additional work,’ they added.
French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters at the G20 that his problem wasn’t with the US or Trump, but with Vladimir Putin, whom he accused of refusing to agree to ceasefires.
The peace plan put forward by Trump and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has been controversial with EU states because it would allow Russia to keep occupied territory in Ukraine – Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk.
It would also force Ukraine to hand over other territory in the east that isn’t currently occupied by Russia, mostly areas in Donetsk.
The agreement also freezes the front lines of the conflict at the Ukrainian oblasts of Kherson and Zaporizhia, which would allow Russia to effectively hold onto nearby Mariupol and have a direct line into the Crimean Peninsula.
Another key point is that Ukraine will forever be barred from NATO, the military alliance that Russia has long wanted to keep a buffer between.
Trump’s peace deal includes many Russian demands and now that he appears open to negotiation with NATO partners and Ukraine, the opportunity for an end to the war by next week is unlikely.
