Trump says Ukraine has expressed 'zero gratitude' for U.S. help amid peace plan talks
Amid ongoing Ukraine-Russia peace talks, President Trump has publicly criticized Ukraine for showing 'zero gratitude' for U.S. support, complicating negotiations as the administration urges Kyiv to accept a 28-point peace proposal by Thanksgiving. Senior U.S. officials reported progress in discussions in Geneva, despite concerns about the proposal's authorship and its potential implications for Ukraine's sovereignty. While some U.S. lawmakers express skepticism regarding the plan's effectiveness, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy acknowledged U.S. support yet faces a challenging decision between accepting a difficult peace deal or risking further losses. The situation highlights the fragile dynamics of international support and the urgency for a resolution in the conflict.
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Trump's comments came at a critical juncture where U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were advocating for a peace deal during discussions in Geneva, signaling a push to resolve the conflict by Thanksgiving 2025.
Rubio noted significant progress in talks, describing the meetings as among the most productive since the negotiations began, while emphasizing that more work remains to be done.
Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S., Olha Stefanishyna, characterized the 28-point proposal as a preliminary framework for negotiations rather than a definitive agreement, labeling it a 'wish list'.
Concerns about the peace proposal's alignment with U.S. interests were echoed by lawmakers like Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Roger Wicker, who raised doubts about its potential to deliver a fair and lasting resolution.
Trump indicated that the proposal was not his 'final offer', suggesting a willingness to negotiate further, while Zelenskyy highlighted the difficult position Ukraine finds itself in, facing either a loss of dignity or the risk of losing U.S. support.
Some U.S. lawmakers questioned the authorship of the peace proposal, with Sen. Mike Rounds stating that it was presented as an intermediary opportunity rather than a definitive U.S. draft, underscoring confusion about its origins.
Rubio later clarified that the proposal was indeed authored by U.S. officials, integrating input from both Russia and Ukraine, thus positioning it as a starting point for ongoing negotiations.