Donald Trump puts the Ukrainian president against the wall. According to the U.S. media, he made a "final offer" of peace to Zelensk. Ukraine must give territories to the Russians — or the Americans will completely retreat their support for Ukraine.
The Ukrainians respond furiously — they have resisted akin schemes in the past. If no agreement is reached at the last minute, it could have consequences for Europe as a whole.
Trump needs success
The American plan provides for authoritative recognition of Russian power over Crimea, and the de facto designation of the business of a large part of the east regions of Ukraine — Lugansk, Donetsk, Khersonsk and Zaporosk.
The US besides promises the Kremlin that they will prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, abolish sanctions and grow economical cooperation. Ukraine's accession to the EU would stay possible in this scenario.
On the another hand, Ukraine would benefit from a warrant of safety, free navigation on the Dniepore and assistance in reconstruction. European peacekeepers would control the border with forces outside NATO and cooperate with Russian and Ukrainian armed forces.
According to the Axios news portal, which cites American government officials, this is the "final offer" of the White House.
According to these reports, if Kiev does not accept these conditions, the United States is ready to let Ukraine to fall.
Putin comes with a proposal
"The Financial Times" suspects circumstantial reason for Trump's pressure. According to the British newspaper, the president of the United States wants to accomplish a ceasefire by 30 April, “so that he can proudly announce that he has fulfilled his peace mission during the first 100 days of his presidency.”
During the election campaign, Trump repeatedly stressed that end the war in Ukraine on the first day of office.
The U.S. plan coincides with the Russian bid, as reported by The Financial Times. Putin would frost the invasion on the current front line and conclude a ceasefire. He would be willing to waive claims to territories inactive occupied by Ukraine in 4 east Ukraine circuits.
Jose Colon/Anadol Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM / newsspix.pl Training of Ukrainian soldiers in Donetsk Oblast, 21 April 2025 (illustration picture)
W The Kiev proposal of Washington is seen as pro-Russian and causes confusion. For president Volodymyr Zelenski, the resignation of the territory is categorically excluded.
Prior to talks in London on Wednesday, April 23rd, the president of Ukraine said: “There is nothing to talk about. This is beyond our constitution."
Does Zelenski gotta give up?
The question is what happens if Zelenski does not agree to the peace plan.
— That would put the Kremlin in a favorable position. Moscow would not gotta enter into real peace negotiations, in which it would besides gotta make concessions,” said Blick Ulrich Schmid, Russian expert at St. Gallen University.
Ralph D. Thiele, president of the German Political and War Society and president of Eurodefense Germany, assumes that Volodymyr Zelenski will have no choice but to surrender.
— That would be due to the fact that If the U.S. broke their relation with Ukraine, Europe would besides reduce its aid, although it would be late," said the expert.
Such a turn of events, according to an analyst, would lead to a guerrilla war resulting in Ukraine leaving many refugees.
“ Russia would see itself as a winner and make life in Europe more hard with hybrid attacks,” said Thiele.
