President Trump pressures Ukraine to accept his administration’s peace plan by Thanksgiving, involving territorial concessions to Russia and NATO restrictions.
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump urged Ukraine on Friday to accept his administration’s plan to end the war with Russia by ceding territory.
Trump told reporters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “will have to like it” regarding the proposed peace agreement.
“If he doesn’t like it, then you know, they should just keep fighting,” the president added during an Oval Office meeting.
Zelensky pushed back against the American plan earlier Friday, vowing not to “betray” his country over the 28-point document viewed as favorable to Moscow.
The Republican leader expressed frustration at not yet succeeding in ending the conflict that began with Russia’s February 2022 invasion.
Trump set a November 27 deadline for Ukraine to accept his administration’s proposal during a Fox News Radio interview.
“We think Thursday is an appropriate time,” he stated regarding the Thanksgiving holiday deadline.
Under the draft plan obtained by AFP, Ukraine would surrender eastern territory to Russia and significantly reduce its military size.
Kyiv would also commit to never joining NATO and would not receive requested Western peacekeepers.
European warplanes would instead be stationed in Poland under the proposed arrangement.
Trump argued that continued fighting would still result in Ukraine losing the territories outlined in his peace plan.
He acknowledged Ukrainian forces as “very brave” in their resistance against Russian invasion.
The US president claimed Russian leader Vladimir Putin “is not looking for more war” when questioned about potential further aggression in Europe.
Trump stated that Putin was “taking punishment” for the nearly four-year conflict that was “supposed to be a one-day war.” – AFP
