Just one day after slamming “ungrateful” Ukrainian leaders, Donald Trump raised hopes a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine may be near. In a post on Truth Social, the US President said on Monday, “something good just may be happening”.
Mr Trump’s full social media post, published on the morning of November 24, read: “Is it really possible that big progress is being made in Peace Talks between Russia and Ukraine??? Don’t believe it until you see it, but something good just may be happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
This came as international leaders are gathered in Geneva in a bid to broker a peace deal with terms acceptable to both Russia, which unlawfuly attacked Ukraine in February 2022, and Kyiv.
On Saturday, as reports of a 28-point peace deal brokered by the US emerged, Sir Keir Starmer and European leaders suggested more work needed to be done for peace to come to Ukraine.
A joint statement, issued by the European Council, read: “We welcome the continued US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. The initial draft of the 28-point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace. We believe therefore that the draft is a basis which will require additional work.”
The following day, Mr Trump launched a scathing attack on the Ukrainian leadership, claiming they had “expressed zero gratitude” for the US’ peace efforts, while also slamming Europeans for the use of Russian oil and gas.
The initial peace plan asked Ukraine to cede territory not occupied by Russia, as well as a significant amount of territory Russian troops have illegally taken over in recent years, and abandon its dream of joining NATO.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the weekend Ukraine was facing a difficult choice over losing its dignity or losing a key ally, the US.
On Monday, he said it’s crucial for his European allies to support that Ukraine’s “borders cannot be changed by force; that war criminals must not escape justice; and that the aggressor must pay fully for the war he started”.
