US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he believes his proposed peace plan presents a viable path to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, but stressed that no agreement can move forward unless Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy formally approves it. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump suggested that negotiations were edging closer to a breakthrough, though he cautioned against making firm predictions. He reiterated that Ukraine must decide quickly, remarking that the coming winter would be harsh and that the country could not afford prolonged indecision.
Trump described the war as a tragedy that never should have unfolded, insisting once again that the conflict would not have erupted had he been in office at the time. He condemned the staggering human toll, claiming Ukraine had lost 25,000 soldiers in a single month and arguing that the scale of casualties was reminiscent of World War II. The President said he had been in communication with Ukrainian officials and believed the situation had reached a point where Kyiv must confront difficult, previously unacceptable compromises. According to Trump, Zelenskyy would eventually “have to accept something he hasn’t accepted.”
He also emphasised the enormous humanitarian and infrastructural strain Ukraine is facing. He noted that crucial energy facilities had come under repeated attack, contributing to a grim winter outlook. Trump claimed that combined casualties on both sides averaged six to seven thousand soldiers per week, underscoring what he called a devastating, unnecessary loss of life. He pointed to his own record in past diplomatic efforts, referencing eight peace agreements he claimed involvement in, including those related to India-Pakistan tensions and conflicts in parts of Africa.
Trump added that he maintained a strong working relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and suggested a faster resolution might have been possible under different political circumstances. He lamented the suffering generated by the war, saying the conflict did not directly affect the United States aside from the moral distress of witnessing widespread destruction. He insisted the current U.S. administration was trying to save lives and repeated that the war should never have happened.
The stakes of Washington’s 28-point peace proposal are immense. According to sources familiar with the draft, the plan calls for Ukraine to surrender some territory, accept restrictions on its military, and abandon its aspirations to join NATO. In return, Russia would be required to withdraw from certain occupied areas. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed cautious support for the framework on Friday, saying it could form the basis for a final settlement, though he acknowledged Ukraine and its European allies still strongly oppose several provisions.
Zelenskyy, for his part, warned that the proposal risked stripping Ukraine of its dignity, its sovereignty, and potentially its support from the United States. He said the country was confronting an excruciating decision and vowed to defend Ukrainian freedom at all costs. Trump dismissed Zelenskyy’s concerns, arguing that Ukraine lacked sufficient leverage to dictate terms on its own. “I told him he didn’t have the cards,” Trump said. “He’s going to have to approve it.”
