US Pressure on Ukraine to Accept Peace Terms
In a sobering meeting held in Kyiv, the United States has delivered a stark message to its NATO allies and Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must agree to a peace deal in the coming days, or face a significantly worse agreement in the future. The US Army Secretary, Dan Driscoll, conveyed this urgent position to ambassadors from NATO nations during a late Friday briefing, following his own discussions with Zelenskyy and a direct phone call from the White House.
Details of the 'Sombre' NATO Meeting
The atmosphere during the meeting was described as sombre, with several European ambassadors expressing deep concern over both the content of the proposed deal and the secretive manner in which the US had conducted negotiations with Russia, largely keeping its allies uninformed. According to a source present, Driscoll stated, 'No deal is perfect, but it must be done sooner rather than later.' The same source characterised the US argument as a 'nightmare,' echoing former President Trump's previous assertion that Zelenskyy has 'no cards' left to play.
The proposed deal contains several provisions that are likely to be highly contentious for Kyiv. These include:
- Ceding territory currently occupied by Russian forces.
- Surrendering additional land that Ukraine still controls.
- Granting a comprehensive amnesty for all war crimes committed during the conflict.
On the same day as the meeting, President Zelenskyy addressed the nation in a video, calling it 'one of the most difficult moments of our history' and presenting a grim choice between 'losing our dignity or losing a key ally.'
Back-Channel Negotiations and a Rushed Timeline
The peace plan was reportedly drafted by Trump aide Steve Witkoff and Kremlin adviser Kirill Dmitriev, a key back channel between Washington and Moscow. Driscoll, a close friend of US Vice-President JD Vance, defended the exclusive US-Russia negotiations, stating that not involving Ukraine and its other allies kept the process 'more manageable.' He added, 'President Trump wants peace now. The more cooks in the kitchen, the harder it is to handle.'
Julie Davis, the US chargé d’affaires in Kyiv, who was also at the meeting, reinforced the ultimatum. She told fellow diplomats that despite the punishing terms, Ukraine has little choice but to accept, warning that 'the deal does not get better from here, it gets worse.' The Trump administration is pushing for Zelenskyy to agree to the deal by the US Thanksgiving holiday this coming Thursday, a timeline described as 'aggressive.'
The announcement of the US plans has blindsided other allies of Ukraine, creating concern in Europe that Russia has had excessive influence in drafting an agreement that is now being presented to Kyiv as a virtual fait accompli. Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Moscow has received a copy of the plan, which he believes 'can be used as the basis for a final peaceful settlement.' Driscoll is expected to travel to Russia soon for further discussions.
