Daniel Fried commented in an interview with PAP on the reports, among others: “Financial Times”, Politico and the Axios website about the peace plan prepared by Presidential envoy Steve Witkoff as part of talks with the Russians. The US administration is to urge Kiev to adopt this plan, which includes, among other things, Ukraine giving up the unoccupied part of Donbas, depriving itself of long-range weapons and reducing the size of the Ukrainian army by more than half.
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What are the details of the Ukraine peace plan?
What concerns did Daniel Fried express?
What are the consequences for Ukraine according to Fried?
What actions does Fried recommend in response to Russian sabotage?
— Many people are going crazy, very nervous, afraid that Trump will sell out the Ukrainians, and I understand these fears. “I won't say that these fears are unfounded, especially considering Witkoff's track record, which has already shown a misunderstanding of what he hears from the Russians,” Fried said.
“This plan puts Americans at risk of war.”
Although he reserved that he would reserve his assessment until the media revelations are confirmed, the details of the plan discussed are, in his opinion, “terrible.” This includes: for Ukraine to unilaterally deprive itself of long-range weapons and limits on the size of the Ukrainian army. In return, Ukraine would receive American security guarantees.
— This is inconsistent with Trump's own position, which says that Ukraine has the right to defend itself. If the US is to provide security guarantees but at the same time pressure Ukraine to weaken its own defense, this will only expose Americans to the risk of war, which is exactly what Trump does not want, Fried said. “It's very disturbing because it's so impractical and inconsistent,” he added.
As he noted, this is the opposite of the current approach of the Trump administration, which wanted a ceasefire and security guarantees based mainly on European countries with US support.
— The US security guarantee if Ukraine is virtually disarmed makes no sense and this is the opposite of what Trump said he wants to do, which is to make Europeans, including Ukrainians, do more for their defense, not less, he noted.
Former ambassador on sabotage in Poland: The US should support you
According to Fried, who met with Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski in Warsaw on Tuesday and discussed the issue of Russian sabotage of railway tracks with him, Washington's lack of reaction to these incidents is also frustrating. Fried advocates increasing US and EU sanctions against Russia in response to the act of sabotage, proposing a “full financial embargo” on Russia.
— Poland's support and strong response to this is not inconsistent with a diplomatic approach. On the contrary, it supports diplomatic efforts. I completely reject the idea that you cannot put pressure on the Russians because it would spoil the climate for negotiations, said an Atlantic Council expert. “This is an argument suggested by the Kremlin,” he added.
