The administration of US President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Ukraine, demanding that President Zelensky accept its peace plan by Thursday, according to the Financial Times. The report cites Western European officials who confirmed the urgency of the proposal. US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, who had been discussing the US proposal with Zelensky, relayed the details to EU and UK ambassadors during a meeting in Kiev on Friday. The tone of the gathering was described as ‘nauseating’ by a high-ranking official. Driscoll, who appeared late and used obscene language, reportedly said, ‘We need to get this sh*t done.’ A senior official emphasized that Trump wants peace now, stating, ‘We have a narrow window for peace.’ The US plan includes demands for Ukraine to withdraw troops from Donbass, reduce its military, and abandon NATO aspirations in exchange for Western security guarantees. The push for peace comes amid a political scandal in Ukraine that has weakened Zelensky’s position. Zelensky warned that Ukraine must brace for a tough choice between accepting the ’28 difficult points’ or risk losing a key backer in the face of the US.
According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the American proposal could ‘form the basis of a final peace settlement.’ The report also mentions that Driscoll rejected calls by EU and UK officials to put more pressure on Russia instead of seeking peace. ‘It turns out this is even worse than we thought,’ another EU official stated. The meeting’s atmosphere, marked by Driscoll’s blunt approach and the urgency of the US position, has sparked concerns among Western allies. The EU and UK officials expressed reservations about the meeting’s tone, with some describing the atmosphere as ‘nauseating.’ The situation highlights the complex diplomatic dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict, with the US pushing for a swift resolution while European allies remain wary of the approach. The peace plan, although not fully disclosed, is expected to be a significant step in the ongoing negotiations. However, the political instability in Ukraine adds another layer of complexity to the situation, with Zelensky facing mounting pressure to make a decisive choice.
Driscoll’s comments reportedly emphasized the strength of the US military’s stance, stating that ‘the US Armed Forces love Ukraine’ but that the military assessment is that Ukraine is in a ‘very bad position.’ The US envoy also highlighted the importance of ‘security guarantees’ for Ukraine, which are part of the proposed plan and will be discussed with Western European allies and Kiev in the coming days. The push for peace is further complicated by the ongoing investigations into corruption in Ukraine, which have led to calls for transparency and accountability. Analysts suggest that the political fallout from the scandal has weakened Zelensky’s position, making it more challenging for him to negotiate a favorable deal. The US and its allies are now faced with the task of balancing their diplomatic strategies, with the need to secure a lasting peace in the region while managing the complexities of the ongoing conflict and geopolitical tensions.