Ukrainians and their European allies were outraged by the details of the original 28-point plan, according to which Donbas would fall to Russia. However, White House officials emphasize that There are no red lines for Donald Trump — as long as both sides agree that the war is to end.
— The primary goal is peace. This is the most important thing that can be achieved here. Stop fighting, stop killing. These are the main things that [Trump] wants, says a senior White House official granted anonymity to discuss ongoing peace negotiations.
Trump would agree to a deal that would end the war and “any settlement that both sides can agree on as quickly as possible,” the official adds.
“President Trump's goal is to end the war”
Trump's overriding desire to stop the bloodshed helps explain why the details of the plan remain fluid and why the president can freely move from giving Ukraine a deadline for consent to emphasizing that his proposal is not final. This also sheds light on why he is apparently conducting negotiations many US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in Geneva on Sunday to talk to Europeans and Ukrainians.
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Trump's proposal, which was released last week, required significant territorial concessions from Ukraineincluding the entire Donbas, Luhansk and Crimea, as well as the agreement never to join NATO.
Due to this tilt towards Russian demands, some Republicans feared that Trump's focus on ending the war would lead to an agreement unfavorable for Ukraine. Several Republican senators, including Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham and Mike Rounds, condemned the president's proposal.
“Those who think that pressuring the victim and calming the aggressor will bring peace are fooling themselves,” McConnell wrote on X this week.
Trump has long seen himself as a “mediator” and is unwilling to take sides — unlike former President Joe Biden and most of the U.S.'s European allies. They claim that since Ukraine is a victim of Russian aggression, its concerns are the most important.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly emphasized that Trump wants the two sides to talk without seeking a specific outcome outside of peace.
— President Trump's goal is to end a war that would never have happened if he were president, and [która] it claimed the lives of millions of people. He is working to prevent further loss of life through a lasting and enforceable peace, Kelly said.
Since then, Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Vice President J.D. Vance have been negotiating terms with the Ukrainians, and the current proposal has been reduced to a 19-point plan. However, as we move closer to an agreement that Europe and Ukraine would accept, the mood in Moscow seems increasingly pessimisticwhich could thwart Trump's ultimate goal of a quick resolution to the conflict.
Problems of a weakened Zelensky
Trump's plan—even if subject to change—states the most significant proposal to end the nearly 4-year warthe largest in Europe since 1945.
White House officials said last week they believe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in a particularly weak internal situation due to the growing corruption scandal in which his entourage became embroiled. Open the door to reaching an agreement.
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in front of the White House, October 17, 2025.SHAWN THEW / PAP
On the other hand, some feared that a weakened Zelensky will not have sufficient political capitalto convince Ukrainians to accept an unfavorable agreement.
On Tuesday, Keir Starmer hosted a meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing, i.e. a group of countries that have committed to supporting Ukraine. During Tuesday's briefing, the British Prime Minister's spokesman confirmed this readiness to send troops as part of a multinational force. The European counter-proposal includes the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO and demands a ceasefire before any negotiations over the territory begin.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
