Welcome to The Logoff: President Donald Trump has a new plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and just about nobody is happy about it.
So, what’s the plan? As my colleague Josh Keating explains, the 28-point document is, essentially, a demand for Ukraine to surrender to Russia. It would grant Russia the entirety of Ukraine’s Donbas region (which Russia does not fully control), cap the size of the Ukrainian army, and permanently bar Ukraine from NATO membership and from hosting an international security force. In exchange, Ukraine would get an end to hostilities and (ostensibly) a guarantee of its sovereignty.
Notably, the plan’s 28-point structure closely resembles the 20-point plan Trump backed to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
How is Ukraine reacting? The plan was reportedly drafted without involvement from Ukraine or other European allies, and is almost certain to be a nonstarter for the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said that “Ukraine may find itself facing a very difficult choice — either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner.”
What comes next? Trump said on Friday that he wants an answer from Ukraine by Thanksgiving, though it’s possible the deadline could slip. If Zelenskyy doesn’t sign onto the plan, US assistance to the country, including weapons and intelligence, could be suspended.
Why does this matter? Trump’s second-term policy on Russia and Ukraine has involved a great deal of vacillating between more pro-Ukraine and pro-Russia stances. This plan falls distinctly on the pro-Russian side — and comes as Trump is seemingly bringing a great deal of pressure to bear on Ukraine to accept it. That’s not likely to happen, but it sets up what could be a decisive week for the conflict.
