Republican Backlash Against Trump's Ukraine Proposal
A prominent Republican lawmaker has launched a stinging critique of former President Donald Trump's proposed peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, warning it could define his political legacy as one of 'surrender'. Nebraska Representative Don Bacon lambasted the 28-point proposal, which demands significant concessions from Kyiv, stating it looks like Russia wrote it.
A Plan Demanding Ukrainian Concessions
The controversial peace framework, presented by the Trump administration, requires Ukraine to cede additional territory to Russia, limit the size of its military, and agree to never join NATO. President Trump has reportedly given Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky an ultimatum to accept the proposal by the Thanksgiving deadline. Should he refuse, Trump remarked that Zelensky can continue to fight his little heart out.
Representative Bacon did not mince words in his social media posts over the weekend. He shared an image on X with the caption: In the war between Ukraine and Russia, the first to surrender was America. He further cautioned that forcing this plan on Ukraine would become President Trump's legacy.
Bipartisan Condemnation and Warnings
The criticism is not isolated. Bacon, alongside the bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, issued a formal statement branding the plan as unacceptable. They argued that it favours the interests of Russian aggressor Vladimir Putin over the sovereignty and security of a democratic Ukraine.
The group's statement emphasised that the framework does not offer a genuine path to lasting peace, but instead, demands the surrender and capitulation of Ukraine to Russian aggression. They warned that accepting it would undermine European and NATO security and fail to properly address ongoing Russian aggression.
This sentiment was echoed by other powerful figures. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, labelled the plan a capitulation, while even Republican Senator Mitch McConnell suggested that Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool.
As top US, Ukrainian, and European officials prepare for a critical summit in Geneva to discuss the proposal, President Zelensky has described facing a very difficult choice between losing dignity or risking the support of a key partner. In a stark contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the plan, threatening to end the war through military means if Ukraine does not agree.
