Trump Backs Graham–Blumenthal Russia Energy‑Tariff Sanctions Bill as GOP Leaders Dispute Where It Must Originate
President Trump has given Sen. Lindsey Graham the green light to advance a bipartisan Graham–Blumenthal bill that would impose steep tariffs on Russian energy exports—aimed largely at buyers such as China and India—and a White House official says Trump supports the measure. GOP leaders are squabbling over procedure, with John Thune arguing budget rules mean the package must originate in the House (so Speaker Mike Johnson would need to carry or move a companion bill), and lawmakers say floor timing is uncertain amid other priorities, including an imminent DHS‑linked partial government shutdown.
📌 Key Facts
- President Trump has publicly backed the Graham–Blumenthal Russia energy‑tariff sanctions bill and gave Sen. Lindsey Graham a green light to move it forward.
- The measure, co‑sponsored by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, would impose very high duties on Russian energy exports — including oil, gas, uranium and related products — designed primarily to curb purchases by China and India (which together buy roughly three‑quarters of Russia’s energy exports).
- Senate GOP leadership (Sen. John Thune) says the package’s budgetary impact means it must originate in the House, creating a dispute over where the legislation should be introduced and requiring House action for the tariffs to proceed.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to introducing or advancing a parallel House bill, leaving the effort procedurally uncertain despite Trump’s endorsement.
- Sen. Graham says the sanctions/tariff package had been held back while the Trump administration pursued a Russia‑Ukraine peace push, but he now insists the legislation is 'never going back on the shelf.'
- A White House official confirmed the president supports the Graham–Blumenthal bill, but there is no floor schedule and Congress is returning with near‑term priorities (including averting a DHS‑linked partial government shutdown), adding timing uncertainty to whether the tariffs will advance.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (15)
A peace deal ‘as soon as this week’
"The Politico piece critiques a fast, secret 28‑point U.S.–Russia peace push reported out of Miami, warning that sidelining Ukraine and European partners and keeping key terms opaque risks imposing an unfavorable deal driven as much by U.S. political calculations as by defensible diplomacy."
Another Ukraine Peace Scare
"The WSJ piece warns that the new U.S.‑brokered Ukraine peace push risks repeating historical mistakes—arguing the U.S. should not abandon containment or accept a settlement that rewards Russian aggression merely because partners are imperfect."
Rubio’s war (and peace)
"The Politico piece argues that Marco Rubio has emerged as the administration’s key, moderating diplomat — steering a fraught Ukraine peace effort back toward Ukrainian buy‑in while navigating internal White House splits and simultaneous military pressure in the Caribbean over Venezuela."
Five reasons Trump's Ukraine plan is deal Putin can't afford to refuse
"A pro‑Trump Fox News opinion piece praises the reported U.S. 28‑point peace plan (Witkoff draft) as a pragmatic package that trades painful territorial concessions for EU integration, economic investment and robust Western military guarantees — a deal the author argues Putin cannot afford to refuse."
Another Attempt at Peace in Ukraine
"The piece comments on the White House's leaked 28‑point Ukraine plan (the story reporting Zelenskyy’s rejection and subsequent White House reworking), arguing that initial alarm and Russiagate‑style condemnations overstated the case and that the plan’s evolution into a negotiable 'living document' could make U.S. diplomacy a constructive convening effort rather than a fixed ultimatum."
What a Good Ukraine Peace Looks Like
"A Wall Street Journal editorial critiques the leaked U.S. 28‑point peace draft as too conciliatory to Russia, arguing any 'peace' must preserve Ukrainian sovereignty, allow Western alignment, and include credible deterrence so Ukraine can survive and choose its future."
Breaking: US and Russia hold peace talks
"The Playbook piece comments on overnight Abu Dhabi talks tied to a revised U.S. peace framework for Ukraine, offering a cautious, skeptical read that—despite Ukrainian and allied tweaks—Putin is unlikely to accept a quick deal and much will depend on how the White House and Trump respond."
Ukraine and the Off-Point Peace Plan
"The WSJ opinion piece critiques the circulated 28-point Ukraine peace draft — tying it to private talks with Kremlin-linked advisers — argues Rubio’s conflicting statements reveal credibility problems, and urges skepticism about treating the document as a U.S. peace plan."
Can Trump Deliver Putin?
"The WSJ column critiques media and political responses to the Trump‑administered Ukraine peace draft—arguing Zelensky’s alarm and the press’s framing overstated the document’s institutional authority and reflect broader signs of Trump’s weakening position."
What Steve Witkoff really thinks
"A critical Politico commentary uses the Bloomberg transcript leak of Steve Witkoff’s call with Kremlin aides to argue that private, unconventional envoys can shape presidential decisions in ways that undercut allies (notably Ukraine), raises alarms about who leaked the call and why, and calls for scrutiny of the White House’s backing of Witkoff."
🔬 Explanations (9)
Deeper context and explanatory frameworks for understanding this story
Phenomenon: Advancement in Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations leading to international security pacts
Explanation: Military stalemate driven by high attrition rates, drone warfare creating impassable kill zones, and approaching parity in munitions production, making prolonged conflict unsustainable for both sides and incentivizing negotiations
Evidence: CSIS analysis details how drone technology has established 15-20 km kill zones preventing advances, with Russia facing thousands of weekly losses and both sides ramping up production towards 2026 parity, creating a logic of attrition that favors talks
Alternative view: Economic stagnation in Russia due to sanctions and dependency on China, pushing Moscow towards a deal for relief
💡 This explanation shifts focus from diplomatic optimism in coverage to underlying military exhaustion and technological barriers, complicating narratives of imminent breakthroughs by highlighting risks of resumed aggression without strong guarantees
Phenomenon: Formation of Coalition of the Willing with U.S.-supported security guarantees for Ukraine
Explanation: Policy shift in the U.S. under the new administration, moving from piecemeal arms support to negotiating a peace deal with concessions to reduce costly foreign engagements and align with domestic political priorities
Evidence: CSIS notes the Trump administration's pivot to pushing a 28-point (reduced to 20) peace plan, revising sensitive issues like territorial concessions and NATO membership in response to international talks, amid sustained U.S. public support for aid but strategic focus on deal-making
Alternative view: Shifting public opinion in Russia and Ukraine favoring negotiations to avoid further mobilization and losses
💡 Challenges the coverage's emphasis on coalition unity by revealing U.S.-driven concessions and pressures on Ukraine, potentially portraying the pact as a pragmatic compromise rather than a unequivocal victory for Ukrainian sovereignty
Phenomenon: Potential for ceasefire monitoring and multinational force deployment in Ukraine
Explanation: Economic pressures on Russia from sanctions inducing stagnation and increased dependency on China, motivating Moscow to seek a negotiated settlement for sanctions relief and economic stabilization
Evidence: CSIS highlights Russia's economy on the edge of stagnation with $400 billion in sanctions costs and $282 billion in foreign investment withdrawal, reinforcing reliance on China for energy and military needs, making a deal attractive for revival
Phenomenon: Rise of populism and political realignment
Explanation: According to Stanford political scientists Francis Fukuyama, Anna Grzymala-Busse, and Neil Malhotra in a 2018 discussion, the rise of populism in the US is driven by economic globalization creating disparities between winners and losers, fostering resentment among working-class voters, alongside cultural backlash against immigration and rapid social changes that threaten traditional identities.
Evidence: The discussion analyzes voting patterns in the 2016 US election and similar trends in Europe, showing correlations between regions affected by deindustrialization and support for populist candidates who promise to prioritize national interests over international commitments.
Alternative view: Alternative explanations emphasize the role of social media in amplifying divisive narratives or institutional failures by political elites in addressing voter concerns, as discussed in a 2017 Georgetown Journal of International Affairs article by Brian Carlson.
💡 This explanation complicates typical coverage of Trump's NATO comments as personal quirks by framing them as symptoms of deeper domestic economic and cultural grievances driving populist foreign policy skepticism.
Phenomenon: Institutional trust collapse
Explanation: According to a 2024 OECD report based on the 2021 Trust Survey, declining trust in institutions, including international ones, stems from economic hardships, perceived vulnerabilities, and a sense that institutions fail to respond to citizens' needs, exacerbating feelings of exclusion and inefficacy.
Evidence: Survey data from multiple countries shows that individuals in lower income brackets and those facing economic insecurity report significantly lower trust levels in both national and international institutions, with statistical correlations to policy responsiveness.
Alternative view: null
💡 It shifts the focus from Trump's individual rhetoric to systemic distrust in alliances like NATO, suggesting that doubts about reciprocity reflect broader public disillusionment rather than isolated political posturing.
Phenomenon: Geopolitical shifts and great power competition
Explanation: According to a 2025 explainer by the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School, US interest in Greenland for national security is driven by climate change opening Arctic routes and resources, necessitating strategic presence to counter Russian military expansion and Chinese economic investments in the region.
Evidence: The analysis cites satellite data on melting ice caps, Russian base constructions in the Arctic since 2014, and Chinese rare earth mining deals in Greenland, highlighting how these factors create new vulnerabilities in global supply chains and defense postures.
Alternative view: Some analyses, like a 2025 CSIS report, argue the push is more about domestic political signaling than genuine strategic necessity, emphasizing alliances over territorial acquisition.
💡 This connects Trump's Greenland comments to tangible climate-driven geopolitical changes, complicating narratives that portray them as whimsical by revealing underlying strategic imperatives in US foreign policy.
Phenomenon: Mass migration and demographic shifts
Explanation: According to a 2024 report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Russia-Ukraine war has triggered massive displacement of over 14 million people, nearly 35% of Ukraine's population, primarily due to extensive destruction of infrastructure, profound human suffering, and ongoing military aggression, creating self-reinforcing cycles of instability that drive further migration.
Evidence: The report documents displacement figures from 2022-2024, highlighting how attacks on civilian infrastructure, including energy systems, exacerbate economic and safety issues leading to refugee flows into neighboring countries and beyond.
Alternative view: Some analyses, such as a 2025 study in Global Networks, emphasize NATO aspirations and geopolitical tensions as additional drivers of conflict-induced migration, beyond direct destruction.
💡 This explanation shifts focus from isolated infrastructure attacks to systemic war tactics aimed at depopulating and destabilizing Ukraine, complicating narratives that portray such strikes as mere military strategy rather than deliberate drivers of demographic crises.
Phenomenon: Institutional trust collapse
Explanation: According to a 2025 Munich Personal RePEc Archive (MPRA) paper by economist Oleksandr Melnychenko, the decline in institutional trust in Ukraine during the conflict is primarily driven by performance indicators such as economic dissatisfaction, perceived corruption, and threats to personal safety, with war-related disruptions like energy attacks amplifying feelings of institutional failure and inefficacy.
Evidence: The paper analyzes survey data showing correlations between war-induced economic hardships, corruption perceptions, and reduced trust in government and international bodies, with feedback loops where low trust hinders effective crisis response.
Alternative view: A 2025 article in The Washington Quarterly attributes the broader erosion of trust in international peacemaking institutions to the transition from a liberal order to power politics, as evidenced by the Ukraine war.
💡 It challenges optimistic coverage of peace talks by highlighting how ongoing attacks erode trust in both domestic and international institutions, suggesting that diplomatic efforts may be undermined by systemic failures not addressed in surface-level reporting.
Phenomenon: Rise of populism and political realignment
Explanation: According to a 2024 study in the journal International Affairs by political scientists Sandra Lavenex and Ivo Križić, the rise of populism globally affects foreign policy by prioritizing national interests and authoritarian approaches, leading to shifts in support for conflicts like Ukraine, where populist leaders may favor transactional deals over sustained alliances.
Evidence: The study examines case studies of populist governments, showing how they alter foreign policy content, with increased effects in authoritarian-leaning regimes, including reduced commitment to multilateral efforts in Ukraine.
Alternative view: A 2024 European Union Politics study focuses on how EU-skepticism within populist parties reduces support for Ukraine specifically in European contexts, potentially influencing transatlantic policies.
💡 This connects the US-led peace talks to populist realignments, complicating narratives of unified Western support by suggesting that domestic political shifts may prioritize quick resolutions over comprehensive security guarantees.
📰 Source Timeline (178)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 21, 2026
January 19, 2026
3:26 PM
Graham says Russia sanctions bill 'never going back on the shelf' after Trump backs push
New information:
- President Trump has now given Sen. Lindsey Graham a clear 'greenlight' to move forward with a long‑discussed Russia sanctions bill focused on steep tariffs on Russian energy exports.
- The bill, co‑sponsored with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, would impose 'eye‑popping' duties on Russian oil, gas, uranium and other energy products, primarily targeting purchases by China and India, which together buy nearly three‑quarters of Moscow’s energy exports.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune insists that, because of its budgetary impact, any Russia sanctions/tariff package should originate in the House, meaning Speaker Mike Johnson would have to introduce or move a parallel bill—something Johnson has not yet committed to do.
- Graham says the package had been held back while the Trump administration tried to broker a Russia‑Ukraine deal involving territorial concessions by Kyiv, but now argues the sanctions are needed and 'never going back on the shelf,' even as Trump publicly blames Zelenskyy for holding up a settlement.
- A White House official confirms to Fox News Digital that Trump supports the Graham‑Blumenthal legislation, but there is still no floor schedule and Congress returns next week focused on averting a DHS‑linked partial government shutdown.
January 18, 2026
7:07 PM
Ukrainian drone strikes leave hundreds of thousands without power across Russian-controlled area
New information:
- Reports that Ukrainian drone strikes on Sunday hit energy infrastructure across Russian‑controlled areas of southern Ukraine, cutting power to more than 200,000 households in occupied Zaporizhzhia, according to the Kremlin-installed governor.
- Ukraine frames the campaign as an effort to 'weaponize winter' in response to Russia’s prior systematic targeting of Ukraine’s grid, while Russia continued large‑scale attacks that Kyiv says killed two people overnight.
- Updated Ukrainian claim that Russia used more than 1,300 attack drones, 1,050 guided aerial bombs and 29 missiles of various types against Ukraine in a single week.
- Fresh Reuters‑referenced remarks from President Trump saying he believes Putin is 'ready to make a deal,' that 'Ukraine is less ready to make a deal,' and explicitly blaming Zelenskyy for why his own intervention has not yet ended the war, while signaling he may meet Zelenskyy at Davos.
January 15, 2026
1:40 PM
Zelenskyy holding up Russia-Ukraine peace process, Trump says
New information:
- In a Reuters Oval Office interview, Trump said Putin is 'ready to make a deal' while 'Ukraine is less ready to make a deal.'
- When asked why U.S. intervention has not ended the war, Trump answered 'Zelenskyy,' directly blaming the Ukrainian president for holding up a possible peace agreement.
- Trump said he believes Zelenskyy is 'having a hard time getting there' on a peace agreement but added he would be willing to meet Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
- Trump also told Reuters he was not aware of any planned trip to Moscow by Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, despite outside reports.
January 08, 2026
6:16 PM
Trump advisers met Putin's envoy in Paris to discuss Ukraine plan
New information:
- Confirms that Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met in Paris on Wednesday with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev to present and discuss the U.S. peace plan for Ukraine.
- Reports that this Paris meeting followed two days of negotiations in Paris between Kushner, Witkoff, President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of the U.K., France and Germany focused on two main sticking points: security guarantees for Ukraine and possible territorial concessions in the eastern Donbas region.
- Quotes Zelensky saying the U.S.–Ukraine security guarantees agreement is 'essentially ready for finalization at the highest level' with Trump.
- Notes Zelensky’s statement that the Ukrainian side has presented 'possible options for finalizing' the document on territorial issues within the basic framework to end the war.
- Reports that Ukrainian officials see a possibility Zelensky will travel to the U.S. next week to meet Trump and finalize the security guarantees deal, with another option being a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
5:55 PM
Russia warns Western forces in Ukraine would be considered 'legitimate combat targets'
New information:
- Russia’s Foreign Ministry, via spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, issued a formal statement warning that any foreign troops, military infrastructure or facilities in Ukraine under the Paris declaration would be treated as 'legitimate combat targets' by Russian forces.
- Zakharova said the Paris security declaration is aimed at militarizing Ukraine and escalating the conflict, not at achieving peace, and asserted that prior Russian warnings 'at the highest level' remain in force.
- The article adds detail from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that the declaration lays out the legal framework for British, French and partner forces to operate on Ukrainian soil after a ceasefire to secure skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces.
- U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is quoted describing 'significant progress' on a bilateral U.S.–Ukraine security guarantee framework and a 'prosperity plan' for Ukraine as part of the Paris process.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the security-guarantees document with the United States is essentially ready for finalization at the presidential level and that Kyiv expects U.S. engagement with Russia and feedback on its willingness to end the war.
3:28 PM
Russian winter strike leaves nearly 800K homes without power and heat in Ukraine’s Dnipro region
New information:
- Reports a new large-scale Russian overnight strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure that left nearly 800,000 homes without power and heat, with the Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia regions initially almost completely without electricity.
- Notes that power has since been restored in the Zaporizhzhia region, but hundreds of thousands of homes in the Dnipro region remain without electricity and heating amid sub‑20°F overnight temperatures in Kyiv.
- Includes a fresh statement from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X condemning the strikes as having 'absolutely no military rationale' and characterizing them as a war against the Ukrainian people.
- Links the strike temporally to Zelenskyy’s recent Paris meeting with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, where they discussed security guarantees, ceasefire monitoring and reconstruction under a broader peace framework.
January 07, 2026
8:37 PM
Trump affirms US 'will always be there for NATO,' while expressing doubts about alliance
New information:
- Links Trump’s fresh Truth Social statement that the U.S. 'will always be there for NATO'—while doubting NATO would reciprocate—to the previously reported Paris declaration framework.
- Adds White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s on-record briefing underscoring Trump’s commitment to NATO and crediting him with driving increased allied defense spending.
- Clarifies that Trump is publicly tying his broader deterrence claims against Russia and China, and his assertion he 'single-handedly ended 8 wars', to current NATO posture and Ukraine talks.
5:01 AM
UK, France strike new Ukraine security pact as US takes lead in ceasefire enforcement
New information:
- Confirms that the U.K. and France, with other Coalition of the Willing members, have formally signed a declaration in Paris setting out a Ukraine security framework tied to a future peace deal.
- Details that the pact envisages a European‑led multinational force deployed in Ukraine after a ceasefire to deter renewed Russian aggression and support rebuilding of Ukraine’s military, with U.S. support.
- Specifies that the United States will lead a continuous ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism and sit on a special commission to manage and attribute ceasefire breaches.
- Announces creation of a permanent U.S.-Ukraine-Coalition coordination cell based at the Coalition’s headquarters in Paris.
- Identifies that the declaration was unveiled at a joint news conference by Macron, Zelenskyy and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and notes attendance by Jared Kushner and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
January 06, 2026
6:44 PM
Ukraine's allies meet in Paris, but progress uncertain as Russia shows no signs of budging from demands
New information:
- Confirms the Paris summit is taking place Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, with what Macron’s office calls an 'unprecedented' in‑person turnout of 35 participants, including 27 heads of state and government.
- Details that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Macron at the Elysée Palace for preparatory talks and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was initially slated to lead the U.S. delegation but changed plans after the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.
- Reports that Russian officials are reaffirming demands, insisting there can be no ceasefire until a comprehensive settlement is agreed, and have ruled out any deployment of NATO-country troops on Ukrainian soil.
- Specifies five concrete priority areas allies aim to secure post‑war: ceasefire monitoring, support for Ukraine’s armed forces, deployment of a multinational force across land/sea/air, commitments in case of renewed Russian aggression, and long‑term defense cooperation.
- Describes a coordinated response by leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the U.K., who joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in publicly defending Greenland’s sovereignty after President Trump again called for U.S. control of the island.
- Notes that NATO’s top commander, U.S. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, joined a military‑chiefs meeting on implementing security guarantees, with other coalition army chiefs participating by video.
2:57 PM
NATO ambassador says Ukraine peace deal could be 'on the cusp' as nations near finalization of security pact
New information:
- U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker told Fox News the allies are 'really very far down the road' and could be 'on the cusp of a peace deal' for Ukraine as Paris talks begin.
- Whitaker described a forthcoming 'finalization' of agreements, including a 'Coalition of the Willing' of about 50 allied countries, many in NATO, that will agree to a specific security framework for Ukraine, with the U.S. participating both within that coalition and in a separate framework.
- The article reiterates that the U.S. delegation to Paris will be led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and notes that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will stay away to focus on matters related to the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro, which Whitaker publicly praises as a 'big win' and part of a broader deterrence strategy.
- Whitaker explicitly links the June 2025 U.S. 'Operation Midnight Hammer' strike on Iran’s nuclear program and the Maduro capture as examples of Trump enforcing 'red lines,' arguing this demonstrates 'peace through strength' to U.S. adversaries.
7:28 AM
Progress for Ukraine talks in Paris uncertain with US focus shifting to Venezuela
New information:
- France is hosting a Jan. 6, 2026 Paris summit of 35 participants, including 27 heads of state and government, to negotiate post‑ceasefire security arrangements for Ukraine.
- The U.S. delegation will be led by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner after Secretary of State Marco Rubio withdrew to focus on the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.
- Macron’s office outlines five concrete priority areas for the talks: ceasefire monitoring, support for Ukraine’s armed forces, possible multinational land/sea/air deployments, commitments against renewed Russian aggression, and long‑term defense cooperation.
- Witkoff previously said Dec. 31 discussions among U.S., U.K., French, German and Ukrainian officials made 'productive' progress on security guarantees and deconfliction mechanisms.
- Zelenskyy publicly notes that potential European troop deployments still face domestic political hurdles in many countries and stresses that some states may instead contribute weapons, technology, and intelligence.
January 05, 2026
4:03 PM
Zelenskyy replaces head of Ukraine's security service ahead of Paris talks
New information:
- Zelenskyy accepted the resignation of SBU chief Lt. Gen. Vasyl Maliuk and appointed Ievhen Khmara, former head of the SBU’s 'A' Special Operations Center, as acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine.
- The article details that under Maliuk the SBU ran 'Operation Spiderweb,' which Ukraine says damaged or destroyed 41 Russian military aircraft in coordinated strikes on four air bases.
- It confirms the Paris talks will involve about 30 countries branded the 'Coalition of the Willing' and that key agenda items include whether countries are prepared to deploy troops inside or near Ukraine and what powers any cease-fire oversight force would have.
- Zelenskyy appointed former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland as his economic development adviser, describing her role in attracting investment and overseeing economic transformations.
- The piece reiterates from Zelenskyy’s New Year address that a U.S.-brokered peace deal is '90% ready,' with remaining disputes centered on issues such as disputed territories.
January 03, 2026
8:07 PM
Allied security advisers discuss peace proposals in Ukraine ahead of leaders' summit
New information:
- National security advisers from 18 allied countries met in Kyiv on Saturday to discuss security guarantees and economic support as part of a U.S.-led diplomatic push to end the war.
- Ukrainian negotiator Oleksandr Bevz outlined a draft security framework with Ukrainian forces as the first line of defense, European-led troops deployed in Ukraine, and a U.S. 'backstop' role.
- Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka said international partners have reached consensus on an approximately $800 billion, decade-long economic support package for Ukraine, including a $200 billion growth 'booster' and roughly $500 billion expected from public grants and concessional loans.
- Economy minister Oleksii Sobolev said funding sources are not yet fully identified and details are to be worked out over the next two weeks, with the package tied to Ukraine’s EU accession reforms.
- Zelenskyy announced he has proposed former prime minister and current defense minister Denys Shmyhal to become energy minister and first deputy prime minister, and to replace him at defense with digital transformation minister Mykhailo Fedorov, credited with driving Ukraine’s military drone program.
- The article updates battlefield impacts, reporting that the death toll from a Russian missile strike on Kharkiv rose to two, including a 3-year-old boy, and a separate Russian drone attack on Mykolaiv region infrastructure caused power outages.
January 02, 2026
4:14 PM
Zelenskyy names Ukraine's head of military intelligence as his new chief of staff
New information:
- Zelenskyy has appointed Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the 39‑year‑old head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR), as his new chief of staff.
- The move follows Zelenskyy’s dismissal of prior chief of staff Andrii Yermak after anti‑corruption officials began investigating alleged graft in the energy sector.
- Zelenskyy publicly framed the appointment as a bid to focus the presidential office on security, defense development, and peace talks, saying Budanov has 'specialized experience' and 'sufficient strength' in these areas.
- Budanov stated on Telegram that his new role is an 'honor and a responsibility' at a 'historic time for Ukraine' and that he will concentrate on strategic security issues.
- Foreign Intelligence Service head Oleh Ivashchenko was named to replace Budanov as chief of the GUR.
- A Kyiv-based political expert, Ihor Reiterovych, said Budanov has already participated in talks with the U.S. and will 'fit much more naturally' into the context of current negotiations than Yermak.
- The article recaps that under Budanov the GUR expanded operations targeting Russian command structures, logistics, energy infrastructure and naval assets, including strikes deep inside Russia and occupied territories.
December 29, 2025
5:05 PM
Trump claims progress toward peace, but Russia signals more war ahead
New information:
- Provides on‑the‑record Trump quotes after his Mar‑a‑Lago meeting with Zelenskyy asserting that Putin is 'committed to peace' and that 'Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed.'
- Reports that Trump and Zelenskyy both now publicly say Ukraine and Russia are 'closer than ever before' to a peace settlement, while acknowledging unresolved issues including Russian demands over Donbas.
- Introduces Lavrov’s statement that Russia will adjust its negotiating stance after an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on a Putin residence, which Moscow claims involved 91 intercepted drones, potentially affecting the security‑guarantee discussions.
- Adds Putin’s contemporaneous statement that Russia must 'continue the offensive' and his optimistic talk of taking full control of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, hardening the context for any long‑term security guarantees.
3:58 PM
Zelenskyy claims Trump said US will consider giving Ukraine decades of security guarantees
New information:
- Zelenskyy says the draft U.S.–Ukraine security guarantee framework currently provides for a 15‑year term with the possibility of extension.
- He states that Trump ‘confirmed’ existing negotiating‑team details on these guarantees and that they would be put to a vote in the U.S. Congress.
- Zelenskyy says he asked Trump to consider extending the guarantees to 30, 40 or even 50 years, describing such a move as a potential ‘historic decision,’ and that Trump said the U.S. would consider longer‑term guarantees.
- At their joint press conference, Trump publicly confirmed that he offered security assurances, saying the U.S. would assist while Europe ‘takes over a big part of it.’
2:20 PM
The U.S. offers Ukraine a 15-year security guarantee for now, Zelenskyy says
New information:
- Confirms that Trump and Zelenskyy met at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday and held a joint news conference where Trump said Ukraine and Russia are 'closer than ever' to peace but acknowledged negotiations could still collapse.
- Clarifies that Zelenskyy is publicly asking for a longer, up-to-50-year U.S. security guarantee, while saying the current U.S. offer is for 15 years and that Trump told him he would consider extending it.
- Adds that French President Emmanuel Macron says Kyiv’s allies will meet in Paris in early January to finalize each country's concrete contributions to Ukraine’s security guarantees.
- Notes Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expects a Trump–Putin call 'in the near future' but indicates no plan for Putin to speak with Zelenskyy.
- Specifies that Zelenskyy wants the near-final 20‑point peace plan put to a national referendum but says this requires at least a 60‑day ceasefire, which Moscow has not yet shown willingness to accept.
1:42 PM
U.S. offers Ukraine 15-year security guarantee as part of peace plan, Zelenskyy says
New information:
- Zelenskyy says the U.S. is offering Ukraine security guarantees for a period of 15 years as part of the proposed peace plan.
- Zelenskyy states he would prefer an American security commitment of up to 50 years to deter future Russian aggression.
- He says Trump indicated he would consider extending U.S. security guarantees beyond 15 years.
- Zelenskyy confirms that details of the guarantees cover how a peace deal would be monitored and the 'presence' of partners, though specifics remain nonpublic.
- He reiterates that key unresolved issues include which forces withdraw from which territories and the status of the Russian‑occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
- Zelenskyy says he wants the 20‑point peace plan to be approved by Ukrainians in a national referendum, which would require at least a 60‑day ceasefire that Russia has not yet accepted.
- French President Emmanuel Macron announces that Kyiv’s allies will meet in Paris in early January to finalize each country’s concrete contributions to the security guarantees.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Putin and Trump are expected to speak 'in the near future,' but there is no indication Putin will speak to Zelenskyy.
12:18 PM
Trump says Ukraine peace is closer. And, how funding cuts affect anti-poverty groups
New information:
- NPR reiterates that after the Dec. 28 Mar-a-Lago meeting Trump and Zelenskyy both publicly said they are 'closer' to peace but emphasized that significant issues remain unresolved.
- NPR specifies that one key unresolved topic is how to handle the Donbas region, with Russia seeking control and Zelenskyy favoring it becoming a demilitarized zone.
- The piece characterizes the mere fact of the in‑person Trump–Zelenskyy meeting at Mar-a-Lago as a sign of momentum, while noting that a final peace deal did not appear imminent and talks will continue.
12:09 AM
Trump says Ukraine-Russia peace ‘closer than ever’ after talks with Zelenskyy
New information:
- Trump publicly stated at a Mar‑a‑Lago news conference on Dec. 28 that Ukraine and Russia are 'closer than ever before' to a peace deal, while acknowledging talks could still collapse.
- Trump and Zelenskyy held a face‑to‑face meeting at Mar‑a‑Lago following what Trump described as an 'excellent' two‑and‑a‑half‑hour discussion, and Trump also had a separate U.S.-initiated, over one‑hour phone call with Vladimir Putin the same day.
- Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said the Trump–Putin call was 'friendly, benevolent and businesslike' and that both leaders agreed to speak again promptly after the Trump–Zelenskyy meeting.
- Ushakov asserted that a 'bold, responsible, political decision' is required from Kyiv on Donbas and other disputed issues for a 'complete cessation' of hostilities, highlighting Russian expectations about territorial concessions.
- Trump and Zelenskyy jointly phoned a group of European leaders — including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the leaders of Finland, France, Germany, the U.K. and Poland — after their meeting to brief them on talks.
- Zelenskyy publicly thanked Trump and reiterated that 'Ukraine is ready for peace,' while both leaders acknowledged unresolved issues such as whether Russia will retain occupied Ukrainian territory and what security guarantees Ukraine will receive.
- The article notes fresh Russian attacks: three guided aerial bombs hit private homes in Sloviansk overnight, injuring three people and killing one man, following a major Russian missile and drone strike on Kyiv that killed at least one and wounded 27.
December 28, 2025
11:38 PM
Trump, Zelenskyy say Ukraine peace deal close but 'thorny issues' remain after Florida talks
New information:
- Trump and Zelensky held a joint press availability at Mar-a-Lago in Florida where both said a 20‑point peace framework is roughly 90% agreed and that only one or two 'very thorny' issues remain.
- Zelensky detailed that negotiations over the framework have unfolded over several weeks in Geneva, Miami, Berlin and Mar-a-Lago, involving U.S., Ukrainian, EU and NATO officials.
- Both leaders identified the status of territory—especially Donbas—as one of the hardest unresolved questions, with Trump warning that delays could lead to further Ukrainian territorial losses.
- Zelensky said any final peace agreement must comply with Ukrainian law and 'the will of the Ukrainian people,' potentially via parliamentary approval or a national referendum, and noted further meetings are planned, possibly including talks in Washington with European leaders.
9:30 PM
Trump meets with Zelenskyy; talks could unlock first Zelenskyy-Putin call in five years: source
New information:
- A source familiar with the discussions says Sunday’s Trump–Zelensky talks at Mar-a-Lago are explicitly intended to pave the way for the first phone call between Zelenskyy and Putin in more than five years.
- The source describes securing a Zelenskyy–Putin call as a potential 'diplomatic victory' for President Trump, and says having Putin join a call on Sunday would have been the 'greatest achievement in the preparation of the peace talks.'
- The article reiterates that Trump had a 'good and very productive' call with Putin before seeing Zelenskyy and quotes Trump saying, 'I think we’re in the final stages of talking,' adding that the process could 'move very rapidly.'
- New color detail says Zelenskyy is 'usually very nervous' ahead of conversations with Trump and spends a long time studying briefing notes from his International Policy Department and Foreign Ministry.
- The source recounts that Putin has refused to speak with Zelenskyy since a July 2020 call related to a Wagner scandal, notes that earlier potential 'windows' for a call in August–September 2024 closed when Ukraine invaded Russia’s Kursk region, and frames the current U.S.-backed 20‑point peace plan as a vehicle to get Kyiv and Moscow to engage directly.
7:08 PM
Trump: Russia and Ukraine peace talks in "final stages"
New information:
- At the start of the Dec. 28 Mar-a-Lago meeting, Trump publicly said the U.S. is 'in the final stages' of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
- Axios reports Trump spoke with Putin roughly two hours before meeting Zelensky, with a call lasting about 1 hour and 15 minutes, initiated by Trump.
- Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov said both Trump and Putin believe Ukraine must make a decision on Donbas 'without delay' and that a temporary ceasefire for a Ukrainian referendum would 'only prolong the conflict.'
- Zelensky told Axios he is willing to submit the U.S. peace plan to a nationwide referendum if Russia agrees to at least a 60-day ceasefire to allow safe campaigning and voting.
- Trump said any peace deal would include 'strong security guarantees' for Ukraine (no specifics yet) and that he and Zelensky plan to call European leaders during their meeting and that he will call Putin again afterward.
5:57 PM
Trump reports 'very productive call' with Putin before meeting with Zelenskyy in Florida
New information:
- Confirms Trump said on Truth Social that he had a 'good and very productive' phone call with Vladimir Putin on Sunday immediately before the Zelenskyy meeting, and notes the Kremlin confirmed the call (without details).
- Specifies that Trump and Zelenskyy will meet in the main dining room at Mar‑a‑Lago with news media allowed in, and that Zelenskyy arrived in Miami Sunday morning.
- Details Zelenskyy’s stated agenda: discussion of security and economic agreements and raising 'territorial issues', particularly the fate of the Donbas region.
- Reports new Russian attacks: three guided aerial bombs hit private homes in Sloviansk overnight, killing one man and injuring three, following a Saturday Russian ballistic‑missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed at least one person and wounded 27.
- Adds that Zelenskyy briefed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer by phone before the Trump meeting and plans to call allies again afterward; also recounts his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax, where Carney announced more economic assistance for Ukraine and praised both Zelenskyy and Trump for creating conditions for a 'just and lasting peace'.
- Includes Zelenskyy’s and Carney’s new public statements about needing 'pressure on Russia and sufficient, strong support for Ukraine' and Zelenskyy’s comment that 'we need to be strong at the negotiating table.'
5:31 PM
WATCH LIVE: Zelenskyy meets with Trump in Florida to discuss end of Russia's war in Ukraine
New information:
- Zelenskyy states the 20‑point U.S. peace plan is about "90% ready" and confirms he will meet President Trump in Florida on Sunday, with a joint appearance expected at 1 p.m. EST.
- Zelenskyy says the Florida talks will cover U.S. security guarantees, an "economic agreement," and "territorial issues," and notes he is not sure anything will be finalized at this meeting.
- He reiterates that Ukraine rejects Russia’s ultimatum to relinquish remaining Donbas territory and says Ukraine would like European participation in the process but doubts that can happen on short notice.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirms that Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev has already met U.S. envoys in Florida and says Moscow and Washington agreed to continue the dialogue.
- Zelenskyy publicly outlines a possible compromise in which Ukraine would be willing to withdraw troops from parts of the eastern industrial heartland if Russia also pulls back and the area becomes an internationally monitored demilitarized zone.
- Russia conducts new strikes on Ukrainian cities the same day: a guided aerial bomb hits a busy road in Kharkiv killing two and wounding six; another bomb kills one and wounds three in Zaporizhzhia region; a missile strike wounds six in Uman; drone attacks damage energy and port infrastructure in Mykolaiv and Odesa and knock out power in parts of Mykolaiv.
- Ukraine’s General Staff says it used U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to hit the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov region, describing multiple explosions at the site.
5:09 PM
Trump and Zelenskyy meeting in Florida to talk Ukraine peace plan
New information:
- Confirms the Trump–Zelenskyy meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. today in Mar-a-Lago’s main dining room.
- Reports that Trump posted on Truth Social that he had a 'good and very productive' telephone call with Vladimir Putin immediately before the Zelenskyy meeting.
- Specifies that the draft 20‑point U.S.–Ukraine plan has been agreed by U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators and is currently under review by the Kremlin.
- Details Zelenskyy’s recent public position that he is prepared to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the eastern industrial region if Russia also pulls back and allows the area to become a demilitarized zone monitored by international forces.
- Quotes Zelenskyy’s new X post on Sunday urging partners to maintain support, citing that in the last week Russia launched 'over 2,100 attack drones, around 800 guided aerial bombs, and 94 missiles of various types.'
- Notes that Zelenskyy held a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and a call with European leaders in Canada on Saturday to discuss diplomatic progress ahead of the Trump meeting.
12:10 PM
Trump, Zelenskyy to meet Sunday, as Ukrainian leader vows country will 'do whatever it takes' to end war
New information:
- Confirms the meeting is specifically set for Sunday at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump has been staying over the holidays.
- Reports Zelenskyy’s new public statement on X that 'Ukraine is willing to do whatever it takes to stop this war' and that Ukraine must be 'strong at the negotiating table' with support from Europe and the United States.
- Details that the latest Russian overnight attack on Kyiv involved 'hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles' and left at least one person dead and 27 injured, according to local authorities.
- Quotes Zelenskyy warning that if 'anyone – whether the U.S. or Europe – is on Russia’s side, this means the war will continue' and that Russia 'will not stop at Ukraine.'
- Quotes Trump telling Politico that Zelenskyy 'doesn’t have anything until I approve it,' underscoring Trump’s claim that he will personally decide on any final peace deal.
8:25 AM
Zelenskyy to meet with Trump as efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war remain elusive
New information:
- Confirms that the Trump–Zelenskyy Mar‑a‑Lago meeting is set for Sunday and that Trump is in Palm Beach for the holidays with an agenda largely consisting of daily golf.
- Reports Zelenskyy saying the 20‑point draft proposal is 'about 90% ready,' explicitly echoing U.S. officials’ prior characterization of its status.
- Details that, in recent talks, the U.S. agreed to offer NATO‑like security guarantees to Ukraine, and that Zelenskyy has signaled he is prepared to drop Ukraine’s formal NATO membership bid if such guarantees are provided.
- Adds new Zelenskyy quotes from X emphasizing Ukraine is 'willing to do whatever it takes to stop this war' and framing Russia’s intensified strikes on Kyiv as showing Moscow wants to continue fighting.
- Reports Zelenskyy’s meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax, including Carney’s announcement of C$2.5 billion (US$1.8 billion) in new economic assistance for Ukraine and his praise of both Zelenskyy and Trump for creating conditions for 'a just and lasting peace.'
- Notes a Christmas Day call where Zelenskyy spoke with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about 'substantive details' of the negotiations, and his warning that 'the weeks ahead may also be intensive.'
- Recaps Trump’s earlier demand after an October White House meeting that both sides 'stop at the battle line,' implying Russia would keep seized territory, as context for current talks.
6:05 AM
Zelenskyy to meet with Trump as efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war remain elusive
New information:
- Confirms that President Donald Trump will host President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar‑a‑Lago on Sunday to try to close out a peace agreement based on the U.S.-authored framework.
- Zelenskyy says the 20‑point draft proposal is 'about 90% ready,' echoing U.S. officials, indicating substantial progress since earlier reporting that key issues remained unresolved.
- Article reports recent Russian escalation with missile and drone strikes on Kyiv in the days before the meeting, described as intensifying pressure on Zelenskyy ahead of talks.
- Details that the U.S. has agreed in principle to offer certain NATO‑style security guarantees to Ukraine, and that Zelenskyy has indicated a willingness to drop a formal NATO membership bid if equivalent protections are provided.
- Notes Zelenskyy’s Christmas Day call with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about 'substantive details' and his warning that 'sensitive issues' remain and upcoming weeks may be 'intensive.'
- Adds that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced C$2.5 billion (US$1.8 billion) in additional economic assistance to Ukraine and publicly praised both Zelenskyy and Trump for creating conditions for a 'just and lasting peace.'
December 26, 2025
9:24 PM
3 key issues that remain unresolved in U.S.-Ukraine talks on ending Russia's war
New information:
- Zelenskyy publicly identified three main unresolved issues in the 20-point framework: the nature and enforcement of security guarantees, the fate of Russian-claimed territories, and the future status and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine has formally conveyed its positions on these points to Washington, and the U.S. side is expected to communicate them to Moscow.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the Kremlin has already been in contact with U.S. representatives and that Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev recently met U.S. envoys in Florida, with agreement to continue the dialogue.
- On Zaporizhzhia, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s insistence on demilitarization of the plant’s territory, withdrawal of Russian troops, and full access for Ukrainian workers, while ongoing talks include a possible joint-access format involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia.
- Zelenskyy said further U.S.–Ukrainian discussions, including meetings in Florida, are expected and that separate documents on economic recovery and prosperity are also under consideration as part of the broader process.
9:09 PM
Trump suggests he'll call final shots on peace deal ahead of Zelenskyy meeting: 'We'll see what he's got'
New information:
- Trump told Politico that Zelenskyy 'doesn’t have anything until I approve it,' indicating he sees himself as having veto power over any Ukraine peace plan.
- Fox reports Zelenskyy will present a specific 20‑point peace proposal to Trump at a Sunday meeting in Florida and says the plan is '90% ready.'
- Zelenskyy says the meeting will likely focus on security guarantees and that it is unclear whether 'territorial issues will be discussed.'
- Trump says he thinks meetings will 'go good' with both Zelenskyy and Putin and that he expects to speak with Putin 'soon.'
- Zelenskyy describes a 'very good conversation' with Jared Kushner and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff focused on ending the war and ensuring lasting peace.
6:49 PM
Zelenskyy says he will meet with Trump 'before the New Year'
New information:
- Zelenskyy says explicitly that he and President Trump have agreed to a 'highest level' meeting 'in the near future' and confirms via X that 'a lot can be decided before the New Year.'
- In WhatsApp messages to Ukrainian journalists, Zelenskyy reportedly confirms the meeting is scheduled for Sunday, though he says it is unclear whether territorial issues will be discussed.
- Trump’s prior Nov. 25 Truth Social post is cited in which he stated he would only meet Zelenskyy and Putin when a deal to end the war is final or in its final stages, implying this meeting signals substantial progress.
- Zelenskyy reiterates that a U.S.-drafted peace framework has been reduced from an original 28‑point plan to about 20 points focused on security guarantees and economic arrangements.
- Zelenskyy reports a 'very substantive and positive conversation' with new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, saying they coordinated positions ahead of the upcoming meetings in Florida.
- Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev is quoted as describing recent peace talks with Ukraine as 'constructive' while Russian forces continue strikes, including a missile attack on Odesa that killed eight and injured 27.
5:01 PM
Exclusive: Zelensky "ready" to call referendum on Trump plan if ceasefire reached
New information:
- Confirms that the roughly 20‑point U.S. peace framework discussed in Miami is now structured into five formal documents, with a possible sixth under consideration.
- Clarifies that, from Zelensky’s perspective, most elements of the bilateral U.S.-Ukraine agreements are already agreed, with outstanding issues mainly technical and focused on duration and territorial terms.
- Adds Zelensky’s explicit statement that his acceptance of the plan’s territorial elements may ultimately depend on direct approval from Ukrainian voters via a referendum under a ceasefire.
December 25, 2025
11:30 PM
Zelensky says he had "very good" Christmas Day call with U.S. envoys on ending war
New information:
- Axios specifies that the Christmas Day call focused on 'new ideas in terms of formats, meetings, and timing' to advance Trump's 20-point peace plan.
- Zelenskyy describes Rustem Umerov as Ukraine's 'top negotiator' and says Umerov will 'continue discussions with the American team,' framing this as not losing 'a single day or a single opportunity.'
- Axios notes that Ukraine has so far rejected aspects of the U.S. plan that would involve major territorial losses and concessions, underscoring a key sticking point.
- Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova is quoted as saying Moscow sees 'slow but steady progress' in peace talks with the U.S., adding a Russian official perspective on the same negotiation track.
6:53 PM
Zelenskyy encouraged by 'very good' Christmas talks with US
New information:
- Confirms that the draft U.S.-backed peace framework has now been reduced to exactly 20 points (prior reporting said 'roughly 19–20' points after cutting from 28).
- Specifies that the framework includes a separate document on bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the United States that Zelenskyy expects would require review by the U.S. Congress.
- Provides new on-the-record comments from Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saying talks between Washington and Moscow are making 'slow but steady progress' while accusing unspecified Western European states of trying to undermine the process.
- Reiterates and contextualizes Vladimir Putin’s recent statement to Russian military officials that Russia’s goals in Ukraine are unchanged and will be achieved either through negotiations or 'by military means' if substantive talks fail, framing this as his latest public stance alongside the U.S.-mediated talks.
5:37 PM
Zelenskyy says he had "very good conversation" with U.S. envoys on Christmas
New information:
- Zelenskyy says he had a "very good conversation" on Christmas Day with Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about "substantive details" of a potential peace deal.
- He notes that Ukraine’s national security adviser Rustem Umerov and other diplomatic staff joined the call and that Umerov would hold a follow-up conversation with Witkoff and Kushner later the same day.
- Zelenskyy publicly thanked Witkoff and Kushner for a "constructive approach" and asked them to pass Christmas greetings to Donald Trump and his family.
- The article reiterates that U.S. envoys are also in contact with the Russian side, including Kirill Dmitriev, who traveled to Miami for talks.
- The piece recaps Zelenskyy’s earlier statement that he could accept a demilitarized "free economic zone" arrangement in parts of Donbas and potentially around the Zaporizhzhia plant, subject to a Ukrainian referendum.
December 22, 2025
12:53 PM
Russian general killed by car bomb, third senior military leader killed this year
New information:
- Russian Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, was killed Monday morning in a car bombing in southern Moscow after an explosive device detonated under his vehicle.
- Russian investigators say one line of inquiry is that Ukrainian intelligence services orchestrated the attack; Ukrainian authorities have not claimed responsibility.
- Sarvarov is the third senior Russian military officer killed in a bombing in Moscow this year, following Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov (head of Russia's nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces) and Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin was immediately informed of Sarvarov’s killing.
- The article reiterates that the bombing comes as Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. are engaged in peace talks that Russian officials have recently described as proceeding 'constructively,' even while Russian missile strikes continue in Odesa.
December 21, 2025
6:14 PM
Russia says U.S. peace plan talks for Ukraine ‘are proceeding constructively’
New information:
- Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev told reporters in Miami that discussions on the U.S. peace plan are 'proceeding constructively,' have already begun, and will continue over at least two days.
- Dmitriev specifically met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Miami, according to Russian state agency RIA Novosti.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that diplomatic efforts are 'moving forward quite quickly' and that Ukraine’s team in Florida is working with the American side.
- Ukraine’s chief negotiator said Friday the Ukrainian delegation had completed separate meetings in the U.S. with American and European partners before these Florida sessions.
- Russian presidential foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov publicly denied that any trilateral U.S.-Ukraine-Russia talks are being seriously discussed or prepared, contradicting Zelenskyy’s earlier comments.
- The French presidency welcomed Vladimir Putin’s stated willingness to talk with President Emmanuel Macron, saying Paris will decide how to proceed in coming days and that any dialogue would be coordinated with Zelenskyy and European partners.
- EU leaders agreed to provide €90 billion (about $106 billion) in military and economic support to Ukraine over the next two years, funded via capital markets rather than frozen Russian assets because of disagreements with Belgium.
- Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets accused Russian forces of forcibly removing about 50 Ukrainian civilians from the village of Hrabovske in Sumy region into Russian territory and said he has contacted Russia’s human rights commissioner seeking information.
12:08 PM
Russia says Ukraine peace talks 'proceeding constructively,' as Kremlin launches deadly strike on Odesa
New information:
- Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev told reporters in Florida that peace talks with Ukraine are proceeding 'constructively' and will continue over multiple days.
- The Florida meeting included U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner after the U.S. side held separate meetings with Ukrainian representatives.
- On the same Saturday, a Russian missile strike on Odesa killed eight people and injured 27 others.
- Putin publicly stated that Russian troops are advancing along the entire line of contact and warned Russia will achieve the 'liberation of its historical lands' by military means if Ukraine and its 'foreign patrons' refuse substantive dialogue.
- President Zelenskyy said he is uncertain how the U.S. will respond after its consultations with the Russians and expected to learn more later the same day.
8:20 AM
Russia says talks on US peace plan for Ukraine 'are proceeding constructively'
New information:
- Kremlin-linked envoy Kirill Dmitriev told Russian state media that talks on the U.S. peace plan in Florida are 'proceeding constructively.'
- Dmitriev said discussions with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Miami began earlier, were ongoing Saturday, and would continue into Sunday.
- The article confirms that these Miami talks follow earlier U.S.-led meetings in Berlin this week with Ukrainian and European officials as part of the same monthslong peace push.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that much will depend on the U.S. posture after its discussions with the Russians, highlighting Kyiv’s focus on Washington’s position.
December 20, 2025
6:46 PM
Russia strikes Ukrainian port as peace negotiations continue in US
New information:
- Confirms the Odesa port strike toll at 8 dead and 27 wounded and notes some victims were on a bus at the center of the strike; trucks and cars in a parking lot were also destroyed.
- Specifies that the Odesa port was hit with ballistic missiles, according to regional head Oleh Kiper.
- Reports that a Kremlin envoy is traveling to Florida for talks on the U.S.-proposed peace plan and that the Trump administration floated a trilateral meeting in Miami involving the U.S., Ukraine and Russia.
- Quotes Zelenskyy saying the key question is how the United States responds after consultations with Russia and that he expects to know more later the same day.
- Details Zelenskyy’s identification of the three hardest issues in negotiations: Ukraine’s territories, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and reconstruction funding, plus technical questions on security guarantees and monitoring formats.
- Notes Ukraine and Portugal signed an agreement to jointly produce maritime drones as part of European defense cooperation.
- Adds that EU leaders have agreed to provide $106 billion in military and economic support to Ukraine over the next two years.
- Describes new Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian assets including the patrol ship Okhotnik in the Caspian Sea, the Filanovsky oil and gas field drilling platform operated by Lukoil, and a radar system in Crimea.
11:36 AM
Russia strikes Ukrainian port, killing 8 and wounding dozens
New information:
- Ukraine's Emergency Service reports 8 killed and 27 wounded in a Russian ballistic missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa late Friday, with trucks and cars damaged and some victims on a bus at the epicenter.
- Regional head Oleh Kiper says the Odesa port was struck with ballistic missiles, while Russia’s Defense Ministry broadly claims it hit 'transport and storage infrastructure' and energy facilities used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
- Ukraine’s General Staff says nighttime drone attacks hit the Russian patrol ship 'Okhotnik' in the Caspian Sea and a drilling platform at the Filanovsky oil and gas field operated by Lukoil, as well as a radar system in Crimea’s Krasnosilske area.
- The article reiterates that Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to meet Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Miami on Saturday as part of ongoing talks over a U.S.-proposed plan to end the war.
December 18, 2025
7:07 PM
Kremlin envoy will visit Miami for latest talks on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, U.S. official says
New information:
- Confirms the Miami meeting will take place on Saturday and explicitly names Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, as the Kremlin envoy traveling to Florida.
- Attributes confirmation of the meeting details to a specific unnamed American official speaking on condition of anonymity to preview the unannounced talks.
- Adds Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov’s acknowledgment that Moscow is preparing for contacts with the U.S. to learn the outcome of the Berlin meetings, without further details.
- Includes fresh on‑camera remarks from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying Ukrainian officials are expected to hold negotiations in the U.S. on Friday or Saturday, that there is 'progress' with the American side on some Ukrainian points, and that he is counting on increased U.S. pressure on Putin.
- Reiterates Putin’s latest public warning that Russia will seek to extend its territorial gains if its demands are rejected, tying this statement directly to the context of the impending peace talks.
5:53 PM
Witkoff to meet with Kremlin envoy in Miami on U.S. peace plan for Ukraine
New information:
- Confirms that Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund and a Kremlin envoy, will travel to Miami to meet U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about the American-authored Ukraine peace plan.
- Specifies that the Miami meeting follows Witkoff and Kushner’s Berlin talks with Ukrainian and European officials on U.S. security guarantees, territorial concessions and other elements of the plan.
- Reports that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Moscow is preparing for contacts with the U.S. to learn the results of the Berlin meetings.
- Quotes Zelenskyy saying Ukrainian officials are expected to hold negotiations in the U.S. on Friday or Saturday and that the U.S. is a 'decision-maker' that can pressure Putin.
- Adds that Witkoff will also meet Friday in Miami with senior officials from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey to discuss the next phase of the Gaza peace plan, linking the Ukraine talks to parallel U.S. diplomacy on Gaza.
December 13, 2025
4:19 AM
Zelensky to meet Witkoff and Kushner on Trump's peace push
New information:
- Witkoff and Kushner will meet Zelensky and the leaders of Germany, France and the U.K. in Berlin on Monday to advance the U.S. peace plan.
- U.S. officials say Zelensky suggested a referendum on a deal that could include ceding territory; Europeans indicated they would support a referendum if proposed.
- The U.S. plan incorporates Russia’s demand to control the entire Donbas via a demilitarized zone; Zelensky is skeptical of a proposed 'free economic zone' there.
- The Trump administration is willing to offer Ukraine a legally binding, Congress‑approved security guarantee modeled on NATO’s Article 5.
- Framework envisions three separate agreements (peace, security guarantees, reconstruction) and, per a U.S. official, would leave Ukraine with sovereignty over ~80% of its territory plus a significant prosperity package.
December 11, 2025
2:47 PM
Officials from Ukraine, U.S. and Europe to meet Saturday on Trump's plan
New information:
- Next-round talks will occur Saturday in Paris among the U.S., Ukraine, France, Germany and the U.K. on the 20‑point plan.
- Ukraine submitted a detailed point‑by‑point response Wednesday with proposals on territorial issues and the Zaporizhzhia plant.
- Negotiation lead has shifted toward Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner; Rubio’s attendance is uncertain.
December 10, 2025
7:41 PM
Lavrov warns Europe of retaliation as Zelenskyy opens reconstruction talks with Trump officials
New information:
- Zelenskyy said he held the 'first meeting' with senior Trump administration officials focused on a document for Ukraine’s reconstruction and economic recovery.
- He stated they discussed key recovery elements, mechanisms, and 'updates' to the '20 points of the framework document for ending the war.'
- Zelenskyy posted on X that both sides agreed to continue talks and publicly thanked President Trump and his team.
2:26 PM
Ukrainian officials expected to present new peace proposals to U.S. negotiators
New information:
- Zelenskyy says Ukraine will hand its latest peace proposals to U.S. negotiators on Wednesday.
- France says a 'Coalition of the Willing' video meeting with about 30 allied leaders/officials will be held Thursday to discuss negotiations.
- Zelenskyy signaled openness to wartime elections within 60–90 days if the U.S./Europe can guarantee secure voting and if Ukraine amends electoral law; he asked his party to draft legislation enabling elections under martial law.
- Article references the Dec. 5 U.S. National Security Strategy calling for reestablishing strategic stability with Russia; Russia’s Sergey Lavrov praised Trump’s role in the peace effort.
December 09, 2025
9:17 PM
European talks reshape Ukraine’s peace plan as Zelenskyy refuses territorial concessions
New information:
- Zelenskyy said after London talks with European partners, Ukraine has refined its components and is nearly ready to present updated peace documents to the U.S.
- He posted on X that ‘obvious anti‑Ukrainian points’ from the initial U.S. draft were removed during European consultations.
- Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine cannot cede territory and tied progress to Russia’s readiness to take ‘effective steps’ to halt bloodshed.
- His travel schedule included Brussels meetings with NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following sessions in London with British, French and German leaders.
- Trump said he was disappointed Zelenskyy hadn’t yet read the proposal and suggested Russia might be ‘fine with it,’ while questioning whether Zelenskyy supports it.
4:41 PM
Zelenskyy again resists U.S. pressure on Ukraine to cede any land to Russia as he rallies European support
New information:
- Negotiators finished three days of U.S.–Ukraine talks on Saturday focused on the U.S. peace framework.
- Zelenskyy publicly reasserted that Ukraine cannot cede territory under its constitution and international law.
- Trump increased public pressure in a fresh interview, asserting Kyiv must 'play ball' and that Russia holds the 'upper hand.'
December 08, 2025
9:17 PM
U.S. pushes Zelensky for swift yes on peace plan: Ukrainian officials
New information:
- Specific claim that Kushner and Witkoff met Putin in the Kremlin for five hours and then sought a 'yes' from Zelensky on a two-hour Saturday call.
- Kyiv’s view that the latest U.S. draft toughened terms on Donbas and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant compared to earlier versions.
- U.S. denial that it favored Moscow and assertion it also pressed Putin to soften demands; dispute over whether Zelensky had the updated draft a day earlier.
10:00 AM
Zelenskyy heads to London for more Ukraine peace talks. Here's what to know
New information:
- Zelenskyy says he had a 'very substantive and constructive' call Saturday with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during the Miami talks.
- Despite talks, NPR reports 'little breakthrough' so far on the U.S. peace proposal.
- Donald Trump Jr. in Doha suggested his father may walk away if Ukraine does not make a quick deal with Russia.
December 07, 2025
12:30 AM
Russia unleashes major drone, missile attack on Ukraine as US diplomatic talks continue
New information:
- French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the strikes and said he will meet Zelenskyy with British and German counterparts in London on Monday.
- U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff released a readout describing the Miami talks (with Jared Kushner participating) as 'constructive' and outlining a 'credible pathway toward a durable and just peace.'
- Zelenskyy said he held a 'substantive phone call' with American officials involved in the Miami talks.
- Ukraine’s Air Force said 29 locations were hit in the barrage (in addition to previously reported totals).
- Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces struck Russia’s Ryazan Oil Refinery in retaliatory action.
- Zelenskyy said a drone strike 'burned down' the train station in Fastiv, near Kyiv.
December 06, 2025
7:07 PM
Zelensky, Trump advisers discuss Ukraine peace terms in 2-hour call
New information:
- Zelensky held a two‑hour call Saturday with Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff focused on territory and U.S. security guarantees.
- Participants included Ukraine’s Rustem Umerov and military chief of staff Andrii Hnatov; Zelensky dialed into the Miami session.
- Sources said talks made significant progress toward agreement on U.S. security guarantees, though interpretations still need alignment.
- Territorial issues remain difficult, with Russia demanding Ukraine withdraw from parts of Donbas it controls; the U.S. is floating bridging ideas.
- Zelensky posted that the discussion was 'very focused' and 'constructive,' aiming to end bloodshed and prevent a future full‑scale invasion.
- Umerov and Hnatov will brief Zelensky in London on Monday; further meetings with Kushner and Witkoff are expected later next week.
6:54 PM
Russia unleashes massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine as talks to end war continue
New information:
- Ukrainian General Staff later said Ukrainian forces struck Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery; Ryazan Gov. Pavel Malkov acknowledged drone debris at an 'industrial facility' and damage to a residence.
- Russian Ministry of Defense claimed it shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight.
- Ukrainian officials said at least 8 people were wounded nationwide, including 3 in the Kyiv region.
- IAEA reiterated that Zaporizhzhia NPP temporarily lost all off-site power overnight; facility requires stable power for reactor/spent fuel cooling.
- Joint statement from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Ukrainian negotiators said 'real progress' depends on Russia’s readiness, and they would meet Saturday for a third day of talks.
4:23 PM
Russia launches drone and missile attack on Ukraine amid talks
New information:
- Ukraine’s Air Force says it intercepted/neutralized 585 drones and 30 missiles; 29 locations were struck.
- At least eight people were wounded nationwide, including at least three in the Kyiv region.
- Ukrenergo says the attack targeted power stations and energy infrastructure across several regions.
- IAEA reports Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant temporarily lost all off-site power overnight, requiring reliable power for reactor and spent fuel cooling.
- Zelenskyy says a drone strike burned down Fastiv train station (Kyiv region).
- Russia’s MoD claims it shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight.
- Ukrainian forces struck Russia’s Ryazan Oil Refinery, per Ukraine’s General Staff; Ryazan’s governor reported damage to a residential building and debris at an industrial site.
11:48 AM
Russia targets Ukraine with massive drone attack amid diplomatic talks
New information:
- Ukraine’s Air Force reports Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles overnight; 585 drones and 30 missiles were downed.
- At least 29 locations were struck and eight people were wounded, including three in Kyiv region.
- Ukrenergo says power stations and energy infrastructure were primary targets; Zelenskyy says a drone strike burned down Fastiv’s train station.
- Russia’s MoD claims 116 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Russian territory the same night.
- Reports and footage indicate a fire at Russia’s Ryazan Oil Refinery area; the regional governor cited damage at an industrial site but did not confirm the refinery hit.
- U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Ukrainian negotiators Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov say talks will continue for a third day Saturday in Florida and stress progress depends on Russia’s seriousness about peace.
10:36 AM
Russia unleashes drone and missile attack on Ukraine as diplomatic talks continue
New information:
- Ukrainian Air Force reports Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles overnight; 585 drones and 30 missiles were intercepted; 29 locations were struck.
- At least eight people were wounded nationwide, including at least three in the Kyiv region, per Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.
- Targets included power stations and energy infrastructure; President Zelenskyy said a drone strike burned down the Fastiv train station in Kyiv region.
- Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed 116 Ukrainian drones were downed over Russian territory; local reports indicated a fire at Russia’s Ryazan Oil Refinery after a suspected drone strike (unverified by AP).
- U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators said they would meet for a third straight day Saturday in Florida; a joint statement by Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov said real progress depends on Russia’s willingness to pursue long‑term peace.
10:33 AM
Battlefield Picture Worsening for Ukraine as Trump Pushes Peace Plan
New information:
- Putin publicly claimed Russia seized the strategic city of Pokrovsk after months of fighting; Ukrainian maps indicate parts remain contested.
- Ukrainian officials said Russia launched more than 650 drones and 51 missiles across Ukraine overnight from Friday into Saturday.
- Putin ordered Russian forces to prepare for winter combat and signaled no shift from hard‑line terms after Moscow talks with U.S. envoys.
- Both sides described the Miami discussions led by Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff as 'constructive,' with another session expected Saturday.
12:57 AM
U.S., Ukrainian officials will meet again Saturday on peace plan
New information:
- U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators issued a joint statement saying progress depends on Russia showing commitment to long‑term peace, including de‑escalation and stopping the killings.
- Both sides will meet again Saturday for a third straight day of talks in Florida.
- Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Moscow received four additional documents beyond the original 28‑point U.S. plan and called some American formulations acceptable, while noting no compromise yet on territorial issues.
- President Trump said Russia is making 'big concessions,' including stopping fighting and not taking more land.
- Friday’s session took place at the Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach, Florida; Zelenskyy said Kyiv wants a readout of the Kremlin meeting; Secretary of State Marco Rubio called recent sessions productive.
December 05, 2025
5:40 PM
U.S. and Ukraine hold marathon talks in Miami on Trump's peace plan
New information:
- U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators are in a second day of talks in Miami on Friday, expected to continue Saturday.
- Ukraine’s delegation is led by chief negotiator/national security adviser Rustem Umerov and Gen. Andrii Hnatov (military chief of staff).
- Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner briefed the Ukrainians on their five-hour Tuesday meeting with Vladimir Putin and floated new ideas to bridge gaps.
- The sides met for two hours Thursday evening and resumed Friday morning; a U.S. official described Thursday’s talks as 'positive.'
December 04, 2025
8:53 PM
Putin says there are points in the U.S. proposal on Ukraine war that he can’t agree with
New information:
- Putin says the initial 28‑point U.S. proposal is now 27 points and has been split into four packages.
- Witkoff and Kushner’s follow‑on meeting with Ukraine’s Rustem Umerov is slated for 5 p.m. EST at the Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach, Florida, per an official involved.
- Putin tied the latest talks to prior U.S.–Russia discussions, including an August meeting with Trump in Alaska.
- In an interview to India Today before landing in New Delhi, Putin reiterated Russia’s intent to take all of Donetsk, saying territory would be taken by force unless Ukrainian troops withdraw.
- Trump said the envoys’ impression from the Kremlin session was that Putin would like to make a deal.
4:57 PM
Putin says there are points he can't agree to in the U.S. proposal to end Ukraine war
New information:
- Putin held five hours of talks at the Kremlin on Dec. 2 with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, saying some points of the U.S. plan are unacceptable and that they went through each point.
- U.S. envoys Witkoff and Kushner are set to meet Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov in Miami later Thursday, per a senior U.S. official.
- Trump said the envoys came away with the impression that Putin 'would like to make a deal.'
- Putin’s remarks were given to India Today TV before landing in New Delhi and were excerpted by Tass and RIA Novosti.
- Context updates: Macron met Xi in Beijing seeking pressure on Russia; Xi said China supports efforts toward peace without specific commitments.
- War updates alongside diplomacy: Russian strikes wounded six in Kryvyi Rih (including a 3‑year‑old), a 6‑year‑old died in Kherson, and Kherson’s thermal power plant shut down.
4:20 PM
Putin rejects key parts of US peace plan as Kremlin official warns Europe faces new war risk: report
New information:
- AP: Putin says there are parts of the U.S.-backed proposal he 'can’t accept,' including a requirement to withdraw from occupied Ukrainian territory.
- Reuters: Dmitry Medvedev warned EU use of frozen Russian sovereign assets could constitute a 'casus belli' with consequences for Brussels and EU states.
- EU leaders are exploring ways to leverage roughly €190 billion in frozen Russian assets; von der Leyen proposed about €90 billion in support for Ukraine over the next two years.
- Zelenskyy posted that Ukraine is preparing additional meetings with American envoys and that any peace must pair diplomacy with pressure on Russia.
- Ongoing battlefield context in Ukraine: fresh Russian strikes on Kherson, Odesa and Kryvyi Rih; reported Ukrainian drone hit on Nevinnomyssk Azot facility.
December 03, 2025
10:42 PM
Trump says Witkoff and Kushner had "a very good" meeting with Putin
New information:
- Trump offered the first U.S. public comment, calling the Witkoff–Kushner meeting with Putin 'very good' and saying their impression is Putin 'wants to make a deal.'
- Witkoff and Kushner briefed Trump by phone from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow on Tuesday night.
- Witkoff spoke Wednesday with Ukrainian national security adviser Rustem Umerov about the talks.
- Ukrainian officials say Umerov is expected to travel to Miami later this week to meet Witkoff and Kushner to continue negotiations.
- Zelensky publicly confirmed continued discussions and stressed any 'dignified peace' must account for Ukraine’s interests and be backed by pressure on Russia.
10:05 PM
Europeans accuse Putin of feigning interest in peace after talks with U.S. envoys stall
New information:
- UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accuse Putin of feigning interest in peace and urge him to end the 'bluster' and support a just resolution.
- U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to meet Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov on Thursday in Miami, per a senior U.S. official.
- President Trump said the envoys came away believing Putin 'would like to make a deal.'
- President Zelenskyy said the possibility of ending the war exists, contingent on 'constructive diplomacy plus pressure.'
- Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov reiterated that no compromise has been found on occupied territories, a core sticking point.
1:07 PM
No Ukraine peace deal after lengthy five-hour Putin-Witkoff-Kushner meeting
New information:
- Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia received four documents from Witkoff and Kushner, including one with 27 points.
- Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, attended the meeting alongside Ushakov.
- Ushakov explicitly stated the talks 'specifically discussed territorial issues' and that some American proposals are 'more or less acceptable' though certain wording is unacceptable.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Rustem Umerov will brief European national security advisors in Brussels on the Moscow meeting and then prepare for follow-on meetings with President Trump’s envoys in the U.S.
12:15 AM
Putin aide says "much work to be done" following Witkoff, Kushner meeting
New information:
- Putin aide Yuri Ushakov said the Kremlin talks with Jared Kushner and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff were 'constructive' but no territorial compromise was reached and 'much work' remains.
- The Kremlin meeting lasted roughly five hours; Moscow received four additional documents beyond the original 28-point U.S. plan.
- Ushakov said some U.S. formulations are acceptable; both sides agreed not to disclose specifics; no Trump–Putin call is planned for now, and Putin asked the envoys to relay 'important political signals' to Trump.
- Zelenskyy said the plan has been pared to about 20 points and Ukraine will await signals from the U.S. delegation after Moscow talks; Rubio called the Florida session 'very productive' with 'a lot of moving parts.'
- Trump said Russians are making 'big concessions' and would stop fighting and not take more land, framing the proposal as revised after initial criticism.
December 02, 2025
11:53 PM
Witkoff and Kushner meet with Putin for latest talks to end Russia’s war with Ukraine
New information:
- Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday for a five-hour session; no U.S. readout yet.
- A Kremlin aide said there is no compromise yet and that peace is "no closer, but no further away," with some U.S. proposals acceptable and others not.
- European officials told PBS the U.S. is pressing Kyiv to give up parts of Donetsk that Ukraine still holds—one of the most difficult items for Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy publicly endorsed U.S. outreach, saying the U.S. would pressure both sides as mediators, while signaling he wants stronger U.S. backing for Ukraine.
- Witkoff and Kushner will fly to Europe next to meet with Zelenskyy.
- Russia claimed capture of Pokrovsk; Ukraine denied it, with PBS mapping incremental Russian gains cited as context.
7:04 PM
Putin warns Russia 'ready' if Europe 'suddenly wants to wage war with us' amid Ukraine talks
New information:
- Putin warned that if Europe ‘suddenly wants to wage a war with us and starts it, we are ready right away. There can be no doubt about that,’ according to AP.
- He described Russia’s actions in Ukraine as ‘surgical’ and said such restraint would not apply in a direct confrontation with European powers (per Reuters).
- Putin accused European leaders of introducing ‘absolutely unacceptable’ demands that ‘blocked the entire peace process’ and said they had locked themselves out by cutting contacts with Moscow.
- The warning came after an investment forum and before a Kremlin meeting with a U.S. delegation led by envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
- Sen. Marco Rubio said a Sunday meeting in Florida with Ukrainian negotiators (with Witkoff and Kushner) was ‘very productive.’
- FM Sergey Lavrov recently cautioned Russia could reject the White House peace framework if it deviates from understandings at the August Alaska summit.
5:28 PM
Putin accuses Europeans of sabotaging U.S.-led peace efforts in Ukraine
New information:
- Putin accused European allies of 'sabotaging' U.S.-led peace efforts by adding demands 'absolutely unacceptable to Russia' and then blaming Moscow.
- Putin reiterated Russia 'has no plans to attack Europe' but said Moscow is ready if Europe 'starts' a war.
- Zelenskyy in Dublin said the Trump plan was narrowed from 28 points to 20 during Sunday talks in Florida between U.S. and Ukrainian officials.
- Zelenskyy said he expects swift reports from the U.S. envoys in Moscow on whether talks can move forward and is ready to meet President Trump depending on the signals.
- The article timestamps the day-of sequence: Witkoff and Kushner were seen in central Moscow ahead of their Kremlin meeting with Putin on Dec. 2.
2:31 PM
Witkoff and Kushner meet Putin to discuss Ukraine peace plan
New information:
- The meeting with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin is taking place now; it is Witkoff’s sixth Putin meeting and the first in-person engagement since the Alaska summit.
- It is the first time Jared Kushner has joined the talks with Putin.
- The U.S. peace plan has been pared from 28 points to 19 following talks with Ukrainian officials.
- Focus of recent negotiations (Miami, Sunday) was where a de facto border would be drawn; Putin insists on full control of Donbas.
- Witkoff, Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met a Ukrainian delegation led by Rustem Umerov in Miami on Sunday; Zelensky says Ukraine’s top general briefed the Americans and the 19-point plan was further revised.
- Witkoff held two additional meetings with Umerov Sunday evening and Monday morning before heading to Moscow.
- Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron held a call with Witkoff and Umerov in Paris on Monday; Macron later spoke to Trump and emphasized security guarantees for Ukraine.
- Witkoff and Kushner are expected to brief Zelensky in Europe on Wednesday about the Putin talks.
- Zelensky met his negotiating team in Dublin today, noting they discussed issues that could not be said over the phone.
1:45 PM
Trump Envoys to Meet Putin to Push U.S. Peace Plan for Ukraine
New information:
- Jared Kushner will join U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in a Kremlin meeting with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
- The peace proposal was initially drafted with input from a Russian official and has been repeatedly revised to address Kyiv’s objections.
- This is Witkoff’s sixth trip to Moscow this year.
- Both sides to the conflict have raised objections to the plan.
1:09 PM
U.S. delegation in Moscow for talks on Ukraine war as Russia says it seized more land
New information:
- CBS reports top U.S. peace envoy Steve Witkoff is in Moscow on Tuesday for talks on the Ukraine war.
- Russia claims it has seized control of the town of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
9:00 AM
High-stakes US push for Ukraine peace meets hard limits in Moscow
New information:
- The proposal being taken to Moscow is a 19‑point plan finalized with Ukrainian counterparts after initial U.S.–Russian talks.
- Negotiators met in Geneva at the end of November and again in Florida over the weekend to refine the framework.
- Russia has pressed for a peacetime troop cap of 600,000 for Ukraine, while European/Ukrainian officials floated 800,000; Ukraine’s current forces are ~880,000 (per FT).
- Earlier drafts contemplated recognizing Crimea and large parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia as de facto Russian; territorial concessions remain the biggest impasse.
- Andriy Yermak’s resignation amid a corruption probe complicates Kyiv’s negotiating posture; he had publicly opposed any land‑for‑peace deal.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the latest session 'very productive,' and President Trump said, 'There’s a good chance we can make a deal.'
7:33 AM
Putin to Meet With Trump’s Envoy as U.S. Pushes for Ukraine Deal
New information:
- NYT reports Witkoff’s Moscow trip is his sixth since January.
- The envoy will present Putin with a revised U.S.-backed peace proposal updated after recent negotiations with Ukrainian diplomats.
- The Moscow meeting comes two days after U.S. and Ukrainian delegations met in Miami; both sides characterized those talks as 'constructive' though unresolved.
- Additional context: Zelensky met France’s Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday and is traveling to Ireland Tuesday.
- NYT underscores Russia’s initial resistance and reiterates Russia’s stated demands (donbas territorial concessions, NATO renunciation, protections for Russian language/culture/Orthodox Church) while noting U.S. pressure on Kyiv to engage.
1:00 AM
Kushner and Witkoff to meet with Putin in Moscow
New information:
- White House confirms Jared Kushner will join Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in a Tuesday meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
- President Trump says there are 'only a few remaining points of disagreement' and claims Russia is 'making concessions' (stop fighting, no further land grabs).
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterizes weekend Florida talks with Ukrainians as 'very productive' but notes 'a lot of moving parts.'
- Rep. Mike Turner voices concern the plan could be too favorable to Russia while emphasizing 'you can't be America First and pro-Russia.'
- White House does not dispute a Bloomberg-published transcript indicating Witkoff advised top Putin aide Yuri Ushakov on engaging Trump; says Witkoff speaks to Russian and Ukrainian officials daily to achieve peace.
December 01, 2025
10:54 PM
Jeffries says not to expect Democrats to pursue Hegseth impeachment over boat strikes
New information:
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats are unlikely to pursue impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the alleged follow-up boat strike.
- Jeffries accused the White House of 'lying' about Hegseth’s role and reiterated his call for Hegseth to resign.
- Jeffries pointed to bipartisan probes by the House and Senate Armed Services Committees as the likely pathway instead of impeachment.
6:53 PM
As Russia and Ukraine mull Trump’s peace proposal, land and security seen as main sticking points
New information:
- U.S. and Ukrainian officials met for roughly four hours on Sunday; attendees included Rustem Umerov, Andrii Hnatov, and Oleksandr Bevz.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the session was productive but more work remains.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed President Putin will meet U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday afternoon.
- Zelenskyy called the revised U.S. plan potentially “workable,” while Putin said it could form the basis for future agreements but reiterated withdrawal demands.
- Andriy Yermak resigned Friday amid a corruption probe and is no longer on Ukraine’s negotiating team.
- Trump said Sunday there’s a “good chance” for a deal and hinted at potentially meeting Putin and Zelenskyy later.
- Both Moscow and Washington downplayed a report that Witkoff coached Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov on pitching the plan.
2:00 PM
Trump envoy set to meet with Putin in Moscow, Russia confirms
New information:
- The Kremlin confirms that President Vladimir Putin will meet U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow.
- CBS reports the confirmation in the context of Witkoff’s role negotiating a Russia–Ukraine peace proposal.
1:59 PM
EU official warns 'impunity' for Russia would mark 'historic mistake of huge proportions'
New information:
- EU Commissioner Michael McGrath says allowing 'impunity' for Russian crimes in Ukraine would be a 'historic mistake of huge proportions' and that the EU will push for accountability in any talks.
- McGrath asserts 'we cannot give up on the rights of the victims' and warns impunity would 'sow the seeds' of future aggression, per Politico.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly thanked President Trump, his team, and the U.S. for investing time and effort to define steps to end the war, in a post on X.
12:39 PM
U.S. tightens immigration after National Guard shooting. And, latest on Ukraine talks
New information:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner hosted a Ukrainian delegation for talks on a revised U.S. peace plan.
- Talks are continuing today as Witkoff heads to Moscow.
- Notes a leaked transcript appearing to show Witkoff coaching the Kremlin on engaging with Trump, which Trump dismissed.
3:56 AM
Post-war borders dominated "intense" U.S.-Ukraine talks
New information:
- Talks focused almost exclusively on where to draw the de facto border with Russia under a potential peace deal.
- The session narrowed to a three‑on‑three: U.S. (Witkoff, Secretary Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner) and Ukraine (Rustem Umerov, Gen. Andrii Hnatov, Vadym Skibitskyi), followed by a Umerov–Witkoff one‑on‑one.
- Meeting took place at Witkoff’s Shell Bay golf club near Miami, lasted about five hours, and was described by two Ukrainian officials as “difficult” and “intense” but productive.
- Umerov publicly said on Telegram that positions are closer and core goals (security, sovereignty, reliable peace) are shared with the U.S.
- Trump, briefed aboard Air Force One, said there’s a “good chance we can make a deal.”
- Next steps: Umerov to brief Zelensky in Paris on Monday; Witkoff to depart Monday and meet Putin in Moscow on Tuesday.
12:00 AM
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff heads to Moscow as Ukraine peace talks gain momentum
New information:
- A U.S. official told Fox News that special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow on Monday.
- Marco Rubio described the Florida meeting with Ukrainian negotiators as 'very productive' and emphasized a peace that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and prosperity.
- Russia’s Sergey Lavrov warned Moscow could reject the White House framework if it deviates from the 'key understandings' from the Alaska summit.
- Vladimir Putin called the U.S. plan a starting point and said, 'We need to sit down and discuss this seriously,' according to the Associated Press.
November 30, 2025
11:04 PM
Ukraine peace talks productive as ex-government official says country rethinking 'uncompromising' stance
New information:
- Rustem Umerov, leading Ukraine’s team, publicly called the Florida session 'productive and successful' and thanked U.S. leadership including the secretary of state, envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
- Fox News specifies additional Ukrainian delegation members in Florida: Andrii Hnatov (Chief of the General Staff) and Andrii Sybiha (foreign minister), alongside Umerov.
- Anonymously sourced claim that Kyiv is reassessing a previously 'uncompromising' stance following Andriy Yermak’s resignation (attributed to a former Ukrainian official; not independently corroborated in the piece).
9:12 PM
Rubio says "more work to be done" after hours of U.S.-Ukraine talks
New information:
- Rubio said the Florida session lasted roughly four hours and called it 'productive and useful' but emphasized 'more work to be done.'
- The meeting took place in Hallandale Beach, Florida, and included Ukrainian officials Andrii Hnatov (head of Ukraine's armed forces) and presidential adviser Oleksandr Bevz.
- Ukraine’s Rustem Umerov publicly thanked U.S. negotiators and described the talks as productive, offering brief on‑record remarks.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin will meet Witkoff before Thursday, when Putin departs for India, narrowing the timeline for Moscow talks.
- Additional specificity on earlier draft terms of the U.S. plan: limits on Ukraine’s military, blocking NATO membership, requiring elections in 100 days, and ceding the entire Donbas — provisions negotiators say have since been revised.
- Context update: Zelensky accepted chief of staff Andriy Yermak’s resignation after an anti‑corruption search, with Umerov now front‑facing in talks.
9:10 PM
Rubio Says ‘Much Work’ to Be Done After Talks With Ukrainian Officials
New information:
- Marco Rubio, after Sunday talks in Florida, said there is 'much work to do' on a war-ending proposal.
- The article details that the original 28-point Trump draft 'largely reflected Russian demands,' including Ukrainian withdrawal from parts of eastern Ukraine, forgoing NATO membership, and ruling out a Western peacekeeping force.
- It reports that Andriy Yermak negotiated last week to soften that draft before his resignation.
- Confirms Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow in the next few days (timing nuance).
- Adds Zelensky’s Saturday statement that the U.S. side is 'constructive' and steps could be finalized in coming days, with Rustem Umerov leading the U.S. trip after Yermak’s exit.
8:48 PM
Rep. Mike Turner says "you can't be America first and pro-Russia"
New information:
- Rep. Mike Turner warns the White House-backed Ukraine peace plan risks being "too pro-Russia" and says "you can't be America first and pro-Russia."
- Turner voices concern over a Bloomberg-published call transcript suggesting Special Envoy Steve Witkoff appeared to coach a Kremlin aide and that Putin might speak to Trump before Zelensky.
- Confirms Sunday morning Miami meeting between Rubio, Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Ukrainian negotiators, with Rubio stating the goal is an end to the war that leaves Ukraine sovereign and independent.
- Rubio calls the day’s session "another very productive" meeting with a "shared vision" and reiterates that Witkoff will travel to Moscow later this week.
4:37 PM
WATCH: Rubio meets with Ukrainian delegation to discuss peace and post-war plans
New information:
- Meeting venue identified as the Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach, Florida, a property developed by envoy Steve Witkoff.
- On‑record quotes: Rubio said the goal is an end to the war that leaves Ukraine "sovereign and independent"; Umerov said the U.S. is "hearing" and "supporting" Ukraine.
- Additional Ukrainian attendees named: Andrii Hnatov (head of Ukraine’s armed forces) and presidential adviser Oleksandr Bevz.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin will meet Witkoff before Thursday, ahead of Putin’s trip to India.
- Further specifics on the earlier 28‑point plan: limits on Ukraine’s military, a NATO bar, elections in 100 days, and an initial vision that Ukraine cede the entire Donbas (now under revision).
- Notes context of Andriy Yermak’s resignation following anti‑corruption searches as Ukraine adjusts its negotiating team.
3:01 PM
US and Ukrainian negotiators meet as Trump seeks to broker an end to the war
New information:
- Trump said he would send Special Envoy Steve Witkoff — and possibly Jared Kushner — to Moscow this week to meet Vladimir Putin about the peace framework.
- Meeting location and timing specified: Hallandale Beach, Florida, on Sunday, Nov. 30.
- Expanded Ukrainian delegation named: Andrii Hnatov, Andrii Sybiha, and Rustem Umerov.
- New detail on Andrii Yermak’s resignation context: home search by anti‑corruption investigators amid a $100 million energy‑sector embezzlement scandal.
- Additional specifics on the initial 28‑point draft plan: envisaged ceding all of Donbas to Russia, limiting Ukraine’s military, blocking NATO membership, and requiring elections within 100 days.
- Kyiv-area casualty update alongside talks: weekend drone/missile strikes killing at least three and injuring dozens; overnight strike in Vyshhorod killed one and injured 19, including children.
1:30 PM
Ukraine’s top negotiator resigns, but peace talks carry on.
New information:
- Confirms Andriy Yermak is absent from the Florida talks following his resignation; Rustem Umerov is leading the Ukrainian delegation.
- Zelensky says 'the American side is demonstrating a constructive approach' and that steps to end the war could be 'fleshed out' in the coming days.
- Zelensky spoke with Finland’s president about 'what the Ukrainian delegation is preparing' and plans to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday.
- Details of the earlier U.S. draft framework are outlined: withdrawal from parts of eastern Ukraine, forgoing NATO membership, and ruling out a Western postwar peacekeeping force, with unspecified U.S.-backed security guarantees.
1:28 PM
Rubio, Witkoff meet with Ukrainian officials in push to finalize deal after Zelenskyy's top negotiator resigns
New information:
- Framework has reportedly been reduced to 19 points from the original 28 criticized by European leaders.
- A U.S. official told Fox News that Kyiv has agreed to a peace deal, with only minor issues remaining to resolve.
- Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Moscow this week to discuss the updated framework.
- Sergey Lavrov warned Moscow could reject the deal if it deviates from the 'spirit and letter' of understandings from the August Alaska summit.
- Zelenskyy said Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation post-Yermak and cited the past week's Russian barrage (~1,400 drones, 1,100 guided bombs, 66 missiles).
- Article situates the Florida meeting after the resignation of chief negotiator Andriy Yermak amid an Energoatom-linked corruption probe.
12:37 PM
U.S. and Ukrainian officials meet in Miami before Moscow talks
New information:
- A new U.S.–Ukraine negotiating session is set for Sunday morning at Steve Witkoff’s Shell Bay golf club in the Miami area.
- U.S. delegation: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
- Ukrainian delegation now led by national security adviser Rustem Umerov and includes Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna, Gen. Andrii Hnatov and intelligence officials.
- Witkoff and Kushner are expected to present the revised U.S. peace plan to Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
- Only two issues remain unresolved from the Geneva talks: territory and security guarantees; a senior U.S. official said, 'The Ukrainians know what we expect from them.'
- Context update: Andriy Yermak resigned after an anti-corruption raid and messaged associates he was 'going to the front'; prior to resigning, he said territorial concessions could only be negotiated at the presidential level.
- Kremlin posture: Putin reiterated that Russia will take the territories it claims either peacefully or by force, casting doubt on accepting current terms.
11:00 AM
Rubio and Witkoff are meeting with Ukraine's negotiators in Florida as Trump pushes to broker a deal
New information:
- A U.S.–Ukraine negotiating session is taking place in West Palm Beach, Florida, this weekend.
- Jared Kushner is participating alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
- Ukraine’s delegation includes Andrii Hnatov (armed forces chief), Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and National Security Council head Rustem Umerov.
- Trump said he will send Witkoff — and possibly Kushner — to Moscow this week to meet Vladimir Putin about the plan.
- Zelenskyy said the American side is showing a 'constructive approach' and steps to end the war could be fleshed out in the coming days.
5:25 AM
Rubio and Witkoff are meeting with Ukraine's negotiators in Florida as Trump pushes to broker a deal
New information:
- Zelenskyy says the Ukrainian delegation in Florida includes Andrii Hnatov, Andrii Sybiha, and Rustem Umerov, adding specificity beyond prior reports.
- Trump said he would send Steve Witkoff — and possibly Jared Kushner — to Moscow this week to meet Vladimir Putin about the plan.
- Andrii Yermak, previously Kyiv’s lead negotiator, resigned Friday after a home search by anti‑corruption investigators, immediately preceding the Florida sit‑down.
- Background specifics on the earlier 28‑point U.S. plan: envisioned ceding the Donbas, limiting Ukraine’s military, barring NATO membership, and holding elections in 100 days; Trump now calls it a 'concept' to be 'fine‑tuned.'
- Same‑day Russian drone and missile attacks in and around Kyiv killed at least three and wounded dozens, per officials.
November 29, 2025
11:43 PM
Russian strikes on Kyiv kill 3 as Ukrainian delegation heads to U.S. for talks to end war
New information:
- Zelenskyy says a Ukrainian delegation led by national security chief Rustem Umerov is en route to the U.S. to work out steps to end the war.
- A weekend meeting in Florida is set to include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, according to a U.S. official.
- U.S. delegation expected to travel to Moscow in the second half of next week; Trump said his plan has been 'fine-tuned' and he may meet Putin and Zelenskyy later if progress is made.
- Zelenskyy announced the resignation of chief of staff Andriy Yermak amid an anti-corruption search of his residence; Macron will meet Zelenskyy in Paris on Monday to coordinate on a 'just and lasting peace.'
3:25 PM
Russian attacks kill 3 in Kyiv as Ukrainian delegation travels to U.S.
New information:
- Zelenskyy says a Ukrainian delegation headed by national security chief Rustem Umerov is traveling to the U.S. to work on steps to end the war.
- A U.S. delegation is expected to travel to Moscow in the second half of next week; Trump said envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Putin and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will meet Ukrainian officials.
- Fresh Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three (two in the city, one in the region) and wounded at least 29, with power outages in western Kyiv.
- Ukraine conducted a naval‑drone strike damaging a mooring at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s Novorossiysk oil terminal; CPC halted operations at that berth.
- Ukrainian security sources said domestically produced Sea Baby drones also struck two Black Sea 'shadow fleet' tankers, Kairos and Virat.
November 28, 2025
9:30 PM
Hungary’s Orbán seeks more Russian oil and gas at talks with Putin in Moscow
New information:
- Trump said Tuesday his Ukraine plan was ‘fine-tuned’ and that he is sending envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow for talks.
- European leaders are attempting to steer negotiations to address their security concerns as the plan advances.
November 27, 2025
7:39 PM
Putin calls Trump’s peace plan a ‘starting point’ as he warns Ukraine to pull back or face 'force'
New information:
- Putin publicly called President Trump’s Ukraine peace plan a 'starting point'/'set of issues put forward for discussion' and said 'every word matters.'
- He warned that if Ukrainian forces do not withdraw from occupied territories, Russia will 'achieve this by force.'
- The remarks were delivered after a three‑day visit to Kyrgyzstan following a CSTO summit in Bishkek.
6:57 PM
Putin sees US peace plan as a starting point as he warns Ukraine’s army to withdraw
New information:
- Putin called U.S. Ukraine peace proposals a 'starting point' for talks, saying 'Every word matters' and describing them as issues for discussion rather than a draft agreement.
- Putin warned Ukrainian forces to withdraw from territories Russia claims or face removal by force; he reiterated demands including Ukraine’s withdrawal from all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, and barring NATO membership/Western troops.
- The Kremlin said U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Moscow next week; U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll may travel to Kyiv.
- AP notes an amended version of the U.S. plan emerged from Sunday talks in Geneva between American and Ukrainian officials.
- Institute for the Study of War assessed that a rapid Russian seizure of the rest of Donetsk Oblast is not imminent, casting doubt on claims of unstoppable momentum.
- Russia’s Foreign Ministry ordered the closure of Poland’s Consulate General in Irkutsk in a tit-for-tat move after Poland shut Russia’s Gdansk consulate.
5:32 PM
U.S.-backed proposal for peace in Ukraine is starting point for peace, Putin says
New information:
- Putin publicly calls the U.S.-backed Ukraine peace proposal a 'starting point' and urges 'serious' talks in remarks in Bishkek on Nov. 27.
- The Kremlin says U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Moscow next week; U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll may head to Kyiv.
- Putin reiterates Russia’s demand that Ukraine withdraw from all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia before negotiations.
- CBS notes an amended version of the U.S. plan emerged from Sunday Geneva talks between American and Ukrainian officials.
4:40 PM
Putin Says U.S. Peace Plan a Starting Point, Needs Work
New information:
- Putin gave his first public comments on the U.S. 28-point Ukraine peace proposal.
- He said the plan takes Russia’s perspective into account and is a "good starting point" but a "list of questions" needing work.
- Putin warned that "some of our partners try to rush this agreement."
1:51 PM
Momentum builds in Ukraine peace push, but experts fear Putin won’t budge
New information:
- President Trump said special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Russian officials in Moscow while senior U.S. defense leaders meet Ukrainian counterparts.
- A senior American official told Fox News Digital that Kyiv has accepted the 'broad contours' of the emerging deal, with 'minor details' still being negotiated.
- Ukrainian opposition MP Oleksii Honcharenko said the plan is a 'workable framework' despite unacceptable elements and acknowledged sanctions relief would be painful for Ukrainians.
- European allies are coordinating a 'Coalition of the Willing,' with France calling for a 'just and lasting peace.'
- Experts quoted warn territorial concessions remain the core roadblock, with ex-NATO commander Philip Breedlove cautioning against concessions and exiled economist Sergey Aleksashenko seeing no sign Putin will compromise.
1:38 PM
Scoop: Inside the White House meeting that launched the new Ukraine peace talks
New information:
- Unreported Nov. 18 White House strategy meeting with Trump, Vance and Rubio launched the latest Ukraine peace push.
- In Geneva last weekend, U.S. and Ukrainian officials narrowed the 28-point plan to 20 items and reached substantive agreement on 18.
- Axios reports the two undisclosed 'delicate' items are likely Ukrainian territorial concessions and security guarantees.
- Trump suggested Army Secretary Dan Driscoll deliver the proposal to Kyiv, aligning with his planned visit to assess Ukraine’s military and 'will to fight.'
- Jared Kushner recently joined Trump’s inner circle on Ukraine; he and Steve Witkoff drafted the initial 28-point plan.
- Rubio traveled to Geneva to work details and publicly denied reports of a rift with Vance over Ukraine policy.
2:00 AM
The JD Vance Classmate Emerging as a Key Player in Talks to End the Ukraine War
New information:
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll personally delivered a U.S.-led peace proposal to President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Nov. 20.
- Driscoll met both Ukrainian officials and a Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
- Driscoll secured a promise that Kyiv would sign the peace deal sought by President Trump; Russia has not yet agreed.
- Driscoll is a former law-school classmate of Vice President JD Vance, underscoring his political ties within the administration.
November 26, 2025
10:12 PM
Fox News Politics Newsletter: US envoy gave Russian aide tips on selling Ukraine deal
New information:
- Bloomberg-reported Oct. 14 phone call between U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
- Witkoff allegedly advised how Putin should raise a Ukraine peace plan with President Trump.
- Direct quote: Witkoff referenced a prior “20-point Trump plan” on Gaza and suggested doing something similar with Russia.
9:02 PM
Trump defends key negotiator after leaked phone call appears to show him coaching Russia
New information:
- Trump publicly defended envoy Steve Witkoff after a leaked October call appeared to show Witkoff coaching a Russian official on selling Moscow’s terms, calling it 'a standard form of negotiation.'
- Trump said he is sending Witkoff back to Moscow to try to finalize details of the latest Ukraine plan with Vladimir Putin.
- Bloomberg reviewed audio of the October call and published a transcript; NPR notes it has not independently verified the audio/transcript.
8:57 PM
As Trump pushes an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, he looks to his Gaza ceasefire playbook
New information:
- Trump backed off the previously cited Nov. 27 deadline for Ukraine to accept the proposal, saying aboard Air Force One, “You know what the deadline is to me? When it’s over.”
- Later the same day, Trump said the 28‑point proposal “was not a plan, just a concept.”
- AP reports Putin launched waves of bombings on Tuesday and Wednesday even as U.S. negotiators renewed the push for a ceasefire.
- Article reiterates the Bloomberg‑reported Oct. 14 leaked call in which envoy Steve Witkoff discussed a 28‑point proposal with Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov.
4:56 PM
Kremlin confirms U.S. envoy Witkoff will visit as talks on ending war in Ukraine gain momentum
New information:
- Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Moscow next week.
- Ushakov said Russia has not officially received the initial U.S. peace proposal and only saw a version via back channels.
- Representatives of the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine held talks earlier this week in the United Arab Emirates.
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed a leaked call and said it is too early to say a peace agreement is close, warning some will try to disrupt efforts.
- Uncertainty over whether U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will be in Kyiv soon; Trump suggested he would be.
- Separate from the talks, Zaporizhzhia was hit by a large Russian drone attack damaging 50+ buildings, including a university dorm.
4:33 PM
Russia tempers expectations over Ukraine peace deal progress
New information:
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters it is "premature" to say whether officials are close to striking a Ukraine peace deal.
- Russia publicly tempered expectations about the progress of negotiations on Wednesday.
2:20 PM
Steve Witkoff coached a Putin aide on how Russian leader should pitch Trump on Ukraine peace plan, report reveals
New information:
- Bloomberg published a transcript/recording of an Oct. 14 call in which Trump envoy Steve Witkoff advised Putin aide Yuri Ushakov on how Putin should pitch Trump on a Ukraine peace plan, including congratulating Trump on the Gaza deal and calling him a 'man of peace.'
- Ushakov did not dispute the authenticity of the recordings, said he speaks with Witkoff 'quite often,' and suggested the leak was intended to hinder U.S.–Russia ties.
- The White House did not dispute the transcript; Trump said the approach was 'standard' negotiating and announced he is sending Witkoff to meet Putin, adding the proposal has been 'fine-tuned.'
- Rep. Don Bacon criticized Witkoff as favoring Russia and called for his removal from the negotiations.
11:39 AM
Kremlin says it's "premature" to say peace deal with Ukraine is close
New information:
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it is 'premature' to say a resolution is close and suggested actors in other countries, including the U.S., may try to derail talks.
- Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed Russia has received a revised U.S.-backed proposal after recent high-level U.S.-Ukraine talks but said Moscow has not yet discussed it with American counterparts and that it requires 'serious analysis.'
- President Trump said Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week to discuss the plan.
- A U.S. official told CBS News Ukraine has 'agreed to a peace deal' in principle, with details still to be worked out; Ukraine’s national security adviser Rustem Umerov also said a common understanding was reached.
- Trump posted that 'tremendous progress' has been made and that only a few points remain in the revised 28‑point plan; CBS reiterates the draft includes concessions previously rejected by Kyiv (e.g., ceding all of Donetsk and ending the NATO bid).
5:10 AM
US Army secretary takes unlikely role as key negotiator in push to end Russia-Ukraine war
New information:
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has emerged as a key negotiator, moving from Kyiv to Geneva and then Abu Dhabi to meet Russian officials.
- Trump posted that he directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet President Putin in Moscow while Driscoll meets with Ukrainians, saying talks have made 'tremendous progress.'
- Driscoll, 38, learned of his negotiator role about a week prior; his trip originally focused on assessing Ukraine’s drone use before the White House named him a special representative.
- Driscoll met Zelenskyy in Kyiv to present the plan, then joined Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Witkoff in Geneva before negotiating with Russians in the UAE.
- Negotiations with Moscow were only a possibility a week earlier but occurred in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 24–25.
1:45 AM
White House Defends Witkoff After Leak of Conversation With Russian Official
New information:
- WSJ reports a leaked conversation in which U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff told a Russian official that praising President Trump would help smooth a Trump–Putin call about Ukraine.
- Witkoff suggested Putin call Trump ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s White House visit.
- The conversation reportedly gave the Kremlin an opening to argue against providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine.
- The White House publicly defended Witkoff following the leak.
12:27 AM
Trump optimistic on Russia-Ukraine peace deal even after deadly Russian strike
New information:
- President Trump said only a few 'points of disagreement' remain on a possible Russia–Ukraine peace deal.
- Trump added he will meet with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine only when the deal is in its final stages.
- The remarks came despite a deadly Russian strike, which he acknowledged while maintaining optimism about the talks.
November 25, 2025
10:54 PM
"Delicate details" in Russia-Ukraine peace proposal still need to be sorted out, White House says
New information:
- A U.S. official said Tuesday morning that Ukraine had signed onto a peace deal.
- The White House later clarified that 'delicate details' still need to be worked out, indicating the agreement is not finalized.
- CBS News relayed the White House’s on-the-record characterization alongside analysis from former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor.
10:29 PM
Russia warns it may reject US-Ukraine peace plan if it fails to uphold Alaska summit 'understandings'
New information:
- Lavrov warned Russia may reject the U.S. peace plan if it does not adhere to 'spirit and letter' of understandings reached at the August Alaska Trump–Putin summit.
- Lavrov reiterated Russia’s maximalist demands: barring Ukraine from NATO and ceding the rest of Donbas as part of any deal.
- Fox News cites a U.S. official saying Ukraine agreed Tuesday to a peace deal in principle, with some details still to be finalized.
- U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on Monday and Tuesday; a Ukrainian delegation was also in Abu Dhabi and in contact with Driscoll’s team.
8:39 PM
Trump touts 'tremendous progress' but says he'll meet Putin and Zelenskyy 'ONLY when' peace deal is final
New information:
- Trump publicly says he will meet Putin and Zelenskyy ONLY when a deal is final or in its final stages.
- Trump directs Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Putin in Moscow and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet with Ukrainian counterparts.
- Trump claims "tremendous progress" and says the original 28-point plan has been "fine-tuned" with only a few remaining disagreements.
- Fox cites a U.S. official saying Ukraine agreed to a peace deal in principle, with minor details outstanding; Moscow is reviewing revised terms.
- Context note: Russia launched an overnight strike on Kyiv killing at least seven, even as negotiations continue.
8:12 PM
US, Ukraine find common ground on peace. Will Russia join them?
New information:
- Ukraine’s national security adviser Rustem Umerov said Ukraine reached a 'common understanding on the core terms of an agreement' with U.S. and European officials.
- Umerov said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would travel to Washington before the end of November to work out 'sensitive details' with President Trump.
- President Trump posted Monday that there was 'big progress' and that 'something good might be happening,' while cautioning 'don’t believe it until you see it.'
- CSM reports the U.S. 28‑point plan has been pared to 19 points more amenable to Ukraine, with unresolved issues (territory, postwar force size, NATO ties) left for leader‑level discussion.
- A photo and report place U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Andriy Yermak in Geneva on Nov. 23, signaling high‑level involvement.
- The article details that Trump directed negotiator Steve Witkoff to push for a deal before Thanksgiving after quiet talks spanning Florida, Geneva, and Abu Dhabi.
5:33 PM
U.S. push for Russia-Ukraine peace deal gains momentum as attacks on Kyiv kill 7
New information:
- U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 25 as part of the latest negotiation phase; Ukrainians were informed of the meeting.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. has made “tremendous progress” bringing both sides to the table and only “delicate” issues remain.
- French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said talks have new momentum; Starmer said Zelenskyy indicates a majority of the text could be accepted.
- Ukrainian delegate Oleksandr Bevz confirmed the draft has been reduced but denied it currently stands at 19 points, saying non-Ukraine-related items were removed and the document is still changing.
4:08 PM
Zelensky ready to meet Trump over Thanksgiving to finalize deal, top aide tells Axios
New information:
- Zelensky seeks to meet Trump 'as soon as possible'—possibly over Thanksgiving—to finalize the agreement, per chief of staff Andriy Yermak.
- A U.S. official confirmed discussions about a meeting this week or next, though no date is set; Trump will be at Mar‑a‑Lago through Sunday.
- Primary remaining gap is territorial concessions; Zelensky wants to negotiate that directly with Trump.
- The draft plan has been reduced from 28 to 19 points, with non‑peace items removed and other points amended.
- Security guarantees are described as 'legally binding,' with positive U.S. reaction to enshrining them in a formal treaty.
3:38 PM
Ukraine agrees to peace deal, only "minor details" left, official says
New information:
- A U.S. official told CBS News that 'the Ukrainians have agreed to the peace deal,' with only 'minor details' remaining.
- Ukraine’s national security adviser Rustem Umerov said negotiators reached a 'common understanding on the core terms' and that Kyiv hopes Zelenskyy can visit Washington in November to finalize the agreement.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. has made 'tremendous progress' and only a 'few delicate, but not insurmountable, details' remain.
- Multiple sources confirmed Army Secretary Dan Driscoll’s presence in Abu Dhabi; a U.S. military official on the ground said talks are 'moving quick' and officials are 'very optimistic.'
- Russia’s Sergey Lavrov acknowledged the U.S. initiative and said Moscow expects to be informed of consultation results soon.
12:43 PM
U.S. meets Russia in UAE after "understanding" reached with Ukraine
New information:
- U.S. and Ukraine reached a “common understanding” on core terms of a refined peace framework during Sunday talks in Geneva.
- The draft was narrowed from 28 points to 19, with a strengthened U.S. security guarantee component.
- Territorial concession questions will be handled leader‑to‑leader between Presidents Trump and Zelensky.
- Issues not directly tied to peace in Ukraine (e.g., NATO/European security/U.S.–Russia relations) were removed from the framework.
- Ukrainian GUR chief Kyrylo Budanov is in Abu Dhabi, engaging with both U.S. and Russian teams.
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll’s spokesperson confirmed ongoing talks with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi and said they are “going well.”
- Lavrov warned Russia won’t accept changes that stray from what Moscow says Putin and Trump understood in “Anchorage/Alaska.”
- Ukraine signaled Zelensky could visit the U.S. at the earliest suitable date in November to conclude a deal (no date set).
- Ukraine reports Russia launched 460 drones and 22 ballistic missiles overnight, killing at least six in Kyiv.
12:39 PM
U.S. plans to cut ties with Boy Scouts. And, Comey and James' criminal cases dismissed
New information:
- NPR reports the U.S. 28-point plan "appears to be off the table" as European leaders advance their own proposal.
- The European proposal closely resembles an April 2022 framework; NPR cites war exhaustion and losses as the key difference now.
- Zelenskyy called the European plan constructive; a Kremlin adviser has already rejected it, and Russia has not abandoned maximalist goals.
10:59 AM
Russian attacks kill at least 7 in Ukraine as talks on a U.S. peace plan continue
New information:
- U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met Russian officials for several hours in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and is heading the latest phase of negotiations; he joined the team less than two weeks ago.
- Ukrainian delegate Oleksandr Bevz says the draft settlement was reduced by removing non‑Ukraine points and duplicates, denying reports it shrank from 28 to 19 points.
- Zelenskyy said the 'list of necessary steps' can become workable and plans to discuss sensitive issues with President Trump; adviser Rustem Umerov posted that Zelenskyy hopes to finalize a deal with Trump at the earliest suitable date in November.
- Russia’s Sergey Lavrov said Moscow expects an interim U.S. version after coordination with Europeans and Ukrainians.
- Context update: overnight Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least seven and wounded about 20, with Russia firing 22 missiles and more than 460 drones, underscoring urgency amid talks.
5:02 AM
Army Secretary Driscoll meeting with Russians in UAE amid push for peace deal
New information:
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met Russian officials for several hours Monday night in Abu Dhabi and planned additional meetings Tuesday.
- The White House said U.S. and Ukrainian officials have drafted an 'updated and refined peace framework' following the Geneva discussions.
- CBS details a draft proposal requiring Ukraine to cede the entire Donetsk region and end its push to join NATO.
- Ukraine’s U.S. ambassador Olga Stefanishyna said a related security document envisions U.S. 'security assurances' along the lines of NATO’s Article 5.
- A group of NATO members and other U.S. allies called the plan 'a basis which will require additional work.'
- Driscoll, Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and diplomats from Ukraine and European allies attended the Geneva talks.
- A potential Zelenskyy visit to the U.S. is being discussed but not set; Rubio said the Thanksgiving deadline is flexible.
- A U.S. official said Putin appears determined to take Donetsk, and cited Russian gains toward Pokrovsk as a negative sign for Ukraine’s defenses.
- Driscoll visited Kyiv last week before the Abu Dhabi meetings.
12:50 AM
Russian drone attack on Kharkiv kills 4 as U.S. and Ukraine revise peace plan
New information:
- U.S. and Ukrainian diplomats met in Switzerland over the weekend to revise the previously unveiled peace proposal.
- The proposal drew significant criticism for being 'too pro‑Russian,' prompting revisions.
- A Russian drone attack on Kharkiv killed 4 people and injured 17, including children, underscoring ongoing hostilities.
November 24, 2025
11:50 PM
Ukraine and U.S. revise peace plan as origins questioned
New information:
- European officials say the plan has been cut from 28 to 19 points after U.S.–Ukraine talks.
- Talks in Geneva were led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian chief of staff Andriy Yermak.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the 'vast majority' of points are agreed and expressed optimism.
- Two major sticking points remain (not specified publicly); the issue of ceding territory will be decided personally by Trump and Zelenskyy.
- The Thanksgiving deadline is now treated as 'as soon as possible,' indicating slippage.
- Language on NATO membership and handling of frozen Russian assets will be negotiated on separate tracks within the U.S. and Western Europe.
- Zelenskyy said there are 'fewer points' and that many 'right elements' have been taken into account, while emphasizing the need to finalize with dignity.
4:41 PM
Some European leaders wary of US approach to Ukraine peace talks as UK, France plan new meeting
New information:
- A senior European diplomat told Fox News Europe will not accept a U.S.-driven agreement without full European involvement ('No negotiations about Europe’s security without Europeans').
- France and the United Kingdom will convene a Coalition of Volunteers meeting on Tuesday to coordinate Europe’s position on the talks.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned at the G20 in South Africa that Europe cannot be cut out of any settlement.
- French President Emmanuel Macron said the U.S. plan was 'not negotiated with the Europeans' and criticized proposed limits on Ukraine’s military as limitations on its sovereignty.
- Finland’s President Alexander Stubb posted that NATO will decide on matters within its remit, signaling alliance oversight on related issues.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. and Ukraine made 'substantial' headway on an 'updated and refined' framework, calling Sunday the 'most productive day' and noting EU/NATO matters would proceed on a separate track.
2:54 PM
European officials welcome progress in negotiations on U.S. peace proposals to end Russia-Ukraine war
New information:
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the U.S. proposal "has now been modified in significant parts" after Geneva talks.
- Finnish President Alexander Stubb calls the negotiations "a step forward" while noting major issues remain.
- U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Ukraine’s allies in the "coalition of the willing" will hold a video meeting on Tuesday to discuss the negotiations.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Russia has not yet seen the revised plan text and that no U.S.–Russia meeting is currently scheduled, though Moscow remains open to contacts.
- President Zelenskyy says "diplomacy has been reinvigorated" and that the Ukrainian delegation is returning to report and decide next steps.
- President Trump posts that "big progress" may be happening in the peace talks.
12:57 PM
Ukraine's Zelenskyy hints at "the main problem" with U.S. peace plan
New information:
- Zelenskyy said the 'main problem' is any legal recognition of Russian sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian territory, calling it a breach of territorial integrity.
- The White House said Sunday night that U.S. and Ukrainian officials 'drafted an updated and refined peace framework' after Geneva talks.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in Geneva, called the session 'very, very meaningful' and 'probably the most productive day' on the issue, describing the proposal as a 'living, breathing document.'
- Trump said the Thanksgiving deadline is flexible and that the tabled plan is 'not my final' proposal.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow has not received revised texts and will wait to review any official changes; Putin said the U.S. plan could be a basis but warned Russia would keep advancing if Kyiv rejects it.
- Officials discussed a potential Zelenskyy visit to the U.S. this week as part of efforts to reach a deal.
12:10 PM
Trump's peace plan for Ukraine. And, why Marjorie Taylor Greene is resigning
New information:
- President Trump set a Thursday (Nov. 27, 2025) deadline for Ukraine to agree to the U.S. 28‑point plan.
- European heads of state were not consulted during drafting even though the plan includes major commitments from them, including reconstruction funding and an emergency blueprint if the deal is violated.
- The Kremlin has not weighed in on the Geneva talks; the U.S. is expected to hold separate talks with Russia.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly expressed optimism following the Geneva meetings.
10:01 AM
How Trump's 28-point plan for Ukraine shocked the world
New information:
- Zelensky was on speakerphone during a meeting last week as Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner read the 28 points line-by-line.
- Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Miami on Oct. 25 and again on Oct. 26 to translate Trump–Putin Alaska understandings into a written framework.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance were read in "every step of the way," per a U.S. official.
- It was Vance’s idea to tap Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to deliver and negotiate the plan in Kyiv; Driscoll expedited his trip and prepped over the weekend.
- Witkoff and Kushner held two days of talks in Miami with Ukrainian national security adviser Rustem Umerov at Witkoff’s home.
- The effort began Oct. 22 on a flight back from the Middle East, the same day Trump reimposed Russia sanctions.
5:56 AM
In Geneva, U.S. and Ukraine officials report progress on ending war with Russia
New information:
- Marco Rubio said the Geneva discussions were 'very worthwhile' and the most productive in a long time, expressing optimism that 'we can get something done.'
- Rubio downplayed a previously cited Thursday deadline for Ukraine’s response, saying negotiations could continue beyond Monday.
- The White House stated the Ukrainian delegation affirmed their principal concerns were thoroughly addressed and that changes now reflect Ukraine’s national interests with 'credible and enforceable' security safeguards.
- Rubio characterized the U.S. plan as a 'living, breathing document' that will continue to evolve.
- A bipartisan group of U.S. senators said Rubio told them the plan originated with Russia and resembled a Moscow 'wish list' (raising further allied concerns).
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he told President Trump that Ukraine’s sovereignty must not be jeopardized and that Europe agrees with Kyiv on key points.
2:11 AM
Rubio claims 'tremendous amount of progress' in Ukraine peace talks following Geneva meeting
New information:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio says negotiators made a 'tremendous amount of progress' at the latest Geneva session.
- Over the last ~96 hours, U.S. officials — including the Secretary of the Army — were in Kyiv meeting across Ukraine’s legislative, executive, and military stakeholders to refine the 28-point framework.
- Rubio says open items have been 'substantially' narrowed; remaining issues include those touching EU and NATO roles, which will be discussed with European national security advisers.
- Rubio characterizes the moment as 'delicate,' noting unresolved points range from language/semantics to matters requiring higher-level decisions and more time.
November 23, 2025
10:50 PM
Officials meet in Geneva for Ukraine talks as peace plan’s author called into question
New information:
- PBS reports U.S. officials in Geneva on Sunday pressed Ukraine to accept the peace deal, described as an 'or else' posture.
- Authorship of the proposed peace plan became a point of contention among participants.
- President Trump publicly said Ukrainian leadership had shown 'zero gratitude' for U.S. efforts.
8:12 PM
U.S., Ukrainian officials discussing bringing Zelenskyy to U.S., sources say
New information:
- Multiple U.S. and Ukrainian officials say discussions are underway to bring President Zelenskyy to the U.S. this week, contingent on Sunday’s Geneva outcomes.
- President Trump signaled the Thanksgiving deadline is flexible and called the plan 'not my final' proposal.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Geneva produced the 'best' day of talks so far, while Andriy Yermak said progress is being made toward a 'just and lasting peace.'
- There are currently no scheduled talks with or in Russia; one option under discussion is Army Secretary Dan Driscoll traveling to meet Russian officials, though Russians told CBS nothing is scheduled.
- Ukraine’s Olga Stefanishyna confirmed an additional 'security assurances' framework accompanies the 28‑point plan, likening it to Article 5 in intent but noting it lacks treaty weight and Congressional backing.
- A U.S. official said the negotiating premise assumes Russia could take Donetsk and cited Russian gains near Pokrovsk as a negative sign for Ukraine’s defense.
7:22 PM
Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Nov. 23, 2025
New information:
- CBS reports 'breaking overnight' that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other administration officials are in Geneva meeting with Ukrainian officials and allied partners about the 28‑point U.S. plan.
- President Trump, in new remarks aired in the program setup, said that if President Zelenskyy does not accept the plan 'then he can continue to fight his little heart out.'
6:46 PM
WATCH: Rubio gives updates on talks in Geneva over Trump’s Ukraine peace plan
New information:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the first Geneva session was 'the most productive and meaningful meeting' since the administration began and that a second meeting would occur later Sunday night.
- Rubio stated he is comfortable that presidents could sign off on the plan given progress and noted Russia will also need to approve the final peace plan.
- Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak confirmed the first session concluded productively, said a second meeting would soon follow with European partner engagement, and that final decisions rest with the presidents.
- Following Trump’s online post criticizing Ukraine’s lack of gratitude, Zelenskyy publicly thanked the U.S. and Trump, reiterated that Russia started the war, and urged preservation of support.
6:05 PM
U.S. senators say Rubio told them Trump’s Ukraine peace plan is Russian ‘wish list’
New information:
- Sens. Mike Rounds and Angus King said Marco Rubio told them the leaked 28-point plan is a Russian 'wish list' and not the administration's proposal.
- State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott called the senators’ account 'blatantly false' and reiterated the plan was authored by the U.S. with input from Russians and Ukrainians.
- Rubio posted on X that the peace proposal 'was authored by the U.S.' as a framework for negotiations and suggested the senators were mistaken.
- Rubio was en route to Geneva and was expected to attend a Sunday meeting on the plan as part of the U.S. delegation.
- President Trump wants Ukraine to accept the plan by late next week, per the article.
- Sen. Rounds said the document 'looked more like it was written in Russian to begin with.'
5:43 PM
Transcript: Olga Stefanishyna, Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Nov. 23, 2025
New information:
- Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna confirms Geneva consultations are ongoing under U.S. leadership with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, with European allies present; she says Russia is not formally part of the process.
- She characterizes the U.S. 28‑point proposal as focused on ending military engagement and humanitarian issues, saying it is "not about justice" and does not force concessions on Russia beyond humanitarian matters.
- She acknowledges the existence of a separate U.S. security guarantees document in addition to the 28‑point plan.
- She notes Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll made a senior visit to Ukraine and that she met him in Washington, describing some U.S.–Ukraine exchanges as "emotional" but emphasizing continued talks.
- She declines to confirm reporting that the U.S. threatened to cut off military and intelligence support if Kyiv does not agree by Thursday.
3:27 PM
U.S., Ukraine make progress on Trump's peace plan, officials say
New information:
- U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Geneva say they are making progress toward a possible agreement on Washington’s 28‑point peace plan.
- President Trump has set a Thanksgiving deadline to reach an understanding with Ukraine.
- Jared Kushner is participating in the Geneva meetings alongside Sec. Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met the Ukrainian delegation Saturday night; additional meetings occurred Sunday at the U.S. mission in Geneva.
- Volodymyr Zelensky posted that U.S. proposals may include elements based on Ukrainian perspectives and critical interests; negotiator Rustem Umerov said current (not finalized) proposals include many Ukrainian priorities.
- Trump posted on Truth Social criticizing Ukraine’s leadership as ungrateful while claiming the war should never have happened.
2:50 PM
Trump admin disputes claim that Ukraine peace plan was Russia 'wish list'
New information:
- Sen. Mike Rounds said lawmakers were initially told by White House officials the document was a proposal from the Russian side, before clarifying after a Rubio briefing.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted that the peace proposal 'was authored by the U.S.,' based on input from both Russia and Ukraine.
- Rubio traveled to Geneva on Sunday to meet Ukrainian officials alongside Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to address Kyiv’s misgivings.
- President Trump criticized Ukraine’s leadership on Truth Social for showing 'zero gratitude' and noted Europe’s continued purchases of Russian oil.
- Zelenskyy did not reject the plan outright, saying Ukraine will 'work calmly' with Washington and partners and seek fair treatment.
- Leaked draft terms reported to include halting fighting, giving Russia control over some Ukrainian territory not yet under Russian military control, and barring Ukraine from NATO membership.
1:15 PM
Ukraine, U.S. and other Western allies meet in Geneva to discuss peace plan
New information:
- Talks began Sunday in Geneva; Ukraine’s Andrii Yermak says the first meeting was with UK, France, and Germany advisers, with the U.S. delegation next.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to join the talks.
- Zelenskyy said he hopes for a 'positive result' and that bloodshed must be stopped with guarantees the war won’t reignite.
- Trump said the proposal is not his 'final offer' and wants Ukraine to accept the plan by late next week.
- France’s Alice Rufo called proposed limits on Ukraine’s military a 'limitation on its sovereignty.'
- Poland’s PM Donald Tusk questioned the plan’s authorship and where it was created.
- Some U.S. senators said Rubio described the plan as a Russian 'wish list'; Rubio publicly denied that, saying the U.S. authored the plan with input from both Russia and Ukraine.
- State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott called claims Rubio labeled it a 'Russian wish list' 'blatantly false.'
November 22, 2025
8:22 PM
US senators slam Trump’s Russia-Ukraine peace plan as rewarding aggression
New information:
- A bipartisan trio of U.S. senators (Angus King, Thom Tillis, Jeanne Shaheen) publicly criticized the Trump administration’s 28‑point Russia–Ukraine peace plan at the Halifax International Security Forum, calling it appeasement that rewards aggression.
- Mitch McConnell issued a statement Friday suggesting officials focused on 'appeasing Putin' should be replaced; Tillis said McConnell did not go far enough.
- AP reports Trump wants Ukraine to accept the plan by late next week.
- Vladimir Putin welcomed the proposal, saying it could form the basis of a final settlement if the U.S. secures agreement from Ukraine and European allies.
- Zelenskyy did not reject the plan outright, saying Ukraine would 'work calmly' with partners while insisting on fair treatment.
3:29 PM
U.S. to hold talks in Geneva with Ukraine and EU countries on Trump's peace plan
New information:
- In-person negotiations are expected Sunday in Geneva involving the U.S., Ukraine, Germany, France and the UK.
- The U.S. delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and include envoy Steve Witkoff and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
- Vice President J.D. Vance held a one-hour call with President Zelensky on Friday; they agreed to the weekend talks.
- Zelensky appointed his chief of staff Andriy Yermak to lead Ukraine’s team; adviser Rustem Umerov will participate.
- National security advisers from Germany, France and the UK are expected to join the talks.
- A U.S. official said the plan is a collaboration and details may change through negotiation.
- A Ukrainian official said European leaders are 'shocked but supportive' after being briefed by Zelensky.
- Plan details reiterated to include NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine alongside territorial concessions, NATO bar, and amnesty for Russian war crimes.
2:48 PM
Western leaders say U.S. peace plan for Ukraine needs "additional work"
New information:
- G7/EU leaders at the G20 said the U.S. 28‑point plan is a 'basis' that 'requires additional work,' stressing borders must not be changed by force and warning that proposed limits on Ukraine’s armed forces could leave it vulnerable.
- Ukrainian envoys will meet a U.S. delegation in Switzerland to discuss the proposal; Trump said he wants an answer by Thanksgiving but an extension is possible.
- Putin confirmed Russia received the text via channels with the U.S. administration and said the U.S. hasn’t secured Ukraine’s consent.
- Trump boycotted the G20; he said Zelenskyy will 'have to accept something' or 'keep fighting.'
- The plan’s core terms (cede Donbas and Crimea and renounce NATO membership) were described from a publicly shared draft and confirmed by a White House official.
11:43 AM
European Leaders to Discuss Support for Ukraine in Response to U.S. Peace Plan
New information:
- European leaders plan to meet Saturday in Johannesburg on the sidelines of a global summit to coordinate a response to President Trump’s 28‑point Ukraine peace plan.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, 'Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,' and pledged continued EU financial support and sanctions on Russia.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said leaders would discuss how to secure a cease-fire and 'strengthen the Trump plan' for the next phase of negotiations.
5:17 AM
Trump paints Zelenskyy into a corner with his new plan to end Russia's war on Ukraine
New information:
- Trump publicly set 'next Thursday' as the response timeline and said of Zelenskyy, “He’s going to have to approve it,” reinforcing the deadline.
- New specifics of the U.S. plan: Ukraine would concede the entirety of the Donbas region, drastically reduce the size of its army, and Europe would assert that Ukraine will never be admitted into NATO.
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll personally presented the plan in Kyiv on Thursday; Driscoll’s staff reportedly were unaware as late as Wednesday that he would travel to deliver it.
- A U.S. official said Ukrainians appeared to view the proposal as a starting point for negotiations rather than a fixed ultimatum.
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine faces a choice between 'loss of dignity' and risking 'losing a key partner,' noted he hasn’t spoken with Trump since the plan became public, and expects a call in the coming days.
- Trump told Fox News Radio that Ukraine is 'losing land' and asserted the loss of Donbas would occur in a short period.
12:22 AM
Trump presses Zelenskyy to accept peace plan that would surrender some territory to Russia
New information:
- CBS reports the 28-point proposal would require Ukraine to surrender about 20% of its territory — roughly the size of Pennsylvania.
- Trump is pressing for Ukraine to accept the proposal by Thanksgiving.
November 21, 2025
11:45 PM
Zelenskyy faces pressure from Trump to accept his Ukraine peace plan
New information:
- PBS reports, citing senior U.S. and European officials, that the U.S. is threatening to cut off the weapons-sales program to Ukraine and cease intelligence sharing if Kyiv rejects the plan.
- Putin publicly praised the U.S. plan and said Russia received the text through existing channels.
- Plan specifics detailed: Ukraine would limit its military size; NATO would be barred from sending troops; Ukraine would relinquish remaining parts of Donetsk, demilitarizing the full Donbas; the U.S. would recognize Donbas, Crimea, and occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as de facto Russian.
- NATO language would change to prevent Ukraine’s future membership; U.S. sanctions on Russia would be lifted in stages, with full amnesty for all parties.
- $100 billion of frozen Russian assets would be earmarked for Ukrainian reconstruction.
- A separate document lays out the U.S. definition of a ‘security guarantee,’ which PBS says was confirmed by senior American and European officials.
- Vice President J.D. Vance and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll discussed the U.S. proposal with Zelenskyy the same day, and Trump reiterated a Thanksgiving ‘Thursday’ deadline.
9:57 PM
WATCH: With new U.S. deal, Trump says that Zelenskyy is ‘going to have to accept something’
New information:
- Trump told reporters, referring to the U.S. peace proposal, “We think we have a way of getting peace. He’s going to have to approve it,” directly pressing Zelenskyy to accept.
- Trump reiterated he wants Ukraine’s answer by Thursday and alluded to a prior tense Oval Office meeting, saying he told Zelenskyy, “You don’t have the cards.”
- PBS/AP quoted Zelenskyy framing the choice explicitly: “Either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner. Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely hard winter — the hardest one — and further risks.”
7:02 PM
Putin says U.S. plan for Ukraine could form the basis for a final peace settlement
New information:
- Putin said Russia received a 'modernized' U.S. plan for Ukraine and that it 'could form the basis of a final peace settlement,' while claiming Ukraine opposes it and that it hasn’t been substantively discussed with Moscow.
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine is at a pivotal moment and spoke for nearly an hour with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll about the proposal.
- Trump told Fox News Radio the plan has a Thursday deadline but that an extension is possible if talks are progressing.
- European leaders — Germany’s Friedrich Merz, France’s Emmanuel Macron and the UK’s Keir Starmer — assured Zelenskyy of continued support and welcomed U.S. efforts and potential security guarantees.
- Zelenskyy signaled upcoming peace talks next week will be 'very difficult' and urged domestic unity amid a corruption scandal.
4:59 PM
Trump Says He Wants Ukraine’s Answer on Peace Plan by Thursday
New information:
- President Trump said he wants Ukraine to accept the U.S.-drafted peace plan by Thanksgiving (Thursday).
- Trump told Fox News Radio’s Brian Kilmeade: “Thursday is, we think, an appropriate time… We want the killing to stop.”
- The comment underscores urgency around a draft plan described as requiring major concessions to Russia.
4:01 PM
Zelenskyy warns Ukraine faces ‘difficult choice’ as US peace plan hits major hurdle
New information:
- Zelenskyy, in a video address, warned Ukraine faces a 'very difficult choice' under intense pressure and vowed to work 'calmly' with the U.S.
- Specific reported draft terms include ceding the eastern Donbas region, capping Ukraine’s armed forces at roughly 600,000 troops, and limiting long-range Western strikes inside Russia.
- The White House says Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are quietly working the plan; Trump supports pushing to finalize it by the holidays.
- Zelenskyy is preparing a call with Trump; he has already spoken with Vice President Vance and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz; Kyiv has the document and will work on its provisions.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has not officially received the plan and no substantive discussions are underway, though Moscow remains open to negotiations.
- U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz urged urgency at a Security Council briefing, calling diplomacy the only path to a durable peace.
4:01 PM
Zelenskyy warns Ukraine faces ‘difficult choice’ as US peace plan hits major hurdle
New information:
- Zelenskyy issues one of his starkest warnings, saying Ukraine may face a 'very difficult choice' and will avoid giving the impression it rejects diplomacy.
- Ukraine has formally received the U.S. framework document and Zelenskyy says Kyiv will work 'constructively' with the U.S. on its provisions.
- Draft specifics cited: Kyiv would cede Donbas, Western long‑range strikes inside Russia would be limited, and Ukraine’s armed forces would be capped at roughly 600,000.
- White House says Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are 'quietly working' the plan with both sides; Trump supports pushing to finalize the framework by the holidays.
- Zelenskyy is preparing calls with President Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after a call with Vice President Vance; European allies are uneasy about the proposal.
3:58 PM
Zelensky says Trump plan forces Ukraine to choose between "dignity" and the U.S.
New information:
- Zelensky publicly said Trump’s 28‑point plan forces Ukraine to choose between 'losing our dignity' or risking loss of U.S. support.
- Axios reports the White House wants Zelensky to sign within one week and by Thanksgiving.
- Zelensky held calls Friday with the leaders of France, Germany and the U.K. to shape Ukraine’s response and alternatives.
- Zelensky also spoke with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Friday.
- A senior White House official told Axios the U.S. security guarantee in the plan is a 'big win' and argued Ukraine is likely to lose the territory in question if fighting continues.
- Zelensky said he will try to persuade the U.S. with alternatives while leaning on European backing amid heavy pressure.
3:54 PM
Zelenskyy: With U.S. peace plan, Ukraine risks losing dignity or losing key partner
New information:
- Zelenskyy publicly warned Ukraine faces a 'very difficult choice' between 'losing its dignity' or risking 'losing a key partner' as it considers the U.S. plan.
- Zelenskyy held calls with Germany’s Friedrich Merz, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and the UK’s Keir Starmer, who assured continued support and welcomed U.S. efforts and potential security guarantees.
- European leaders’ statement flagged that any agreement should start from the current 'line of contact' and that Ukraine’s forces must remain able to defend its sovereignty.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Russia has 'no legal right whatsoever to any concessions' and that the war is an 'existential threat to Europe'; terms are ultimately for Ukraine to decide.
- Article reiterates key U.S. plan elements already reported elsewhere: territorial concessions to Russia, reduced Ukrainian force size, and blocking Ukraine’s path to NATO.
3:07 PM
Zelenskyy says Ukraine's allies coordinating in response to peace plan
New information:
- Zelenskyy says he spoke Friday with France’s Macron, the U.K.’s Starmer, and Germany’s Merz about the U.S. 28‑point plan and that allies are coordinating next steps.
- German government statement welcomes U.S. efforts and 'robust security guarantees' while setting conditions: the Line of Contact as a starting point and ensuring Ukraine’s forces can effectively defend sovereignty; any EU/NATO‑affecting plan requires European approval/consensus.
- Zelenskyy discussed the plan with Vice President JD Vance on Friday and expects to speak with President Trump in the coming days.
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia had not discussed the U.S. plan in detail.
- European officials told CBS they were aware a U.S. proposal was in the works but as of Thursday had not been briefed on contents.
2:58 PM
Zelensky and Vance discussed U.S. peace plan for Ukraine
New information:
- Zelensky spoke with Vice President JD Vance on Friday about the U.S. peace plan — the highest-level engagement to date on the proposal.
- The White House is pushing for Ukraine to sign the plan by Thanksgiving.
- Zelensky told the administration he is ready to negotiate.
- Zelensky held a coordination call with leaders of Germany, France, and the U.K. about the U.S. plan and posted publicly about seeking a 'real and dignified peace.'
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed a robust security guarantee but said the current contact line must be the basis for talks, effectively pushing back on U.S.-sought territorial concessions.
11:41 AM
Here's what's in Trump administration's proposed Russia-Ukraine peace plan
New information:
- White House official confirms a current 28‑point working draft reflecting feedback from Russian and Ukrainian officials, while many European governments were not involved in drafting and had not been briefed as of Thursday.
- Specific territorial terms: recognition of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk as de facto Russian; neutral buffer zone in still‑Ukrainian‑held parts of Donetsk with no Russian troops; freeze at current front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhia, preserving Russia’s land bridge to Crimea and control of Mariupol.
- Military and alliance terms: Ukraine must cap its forces at 600,000; barred from NATO but may pursue EU membership.
- Process details: Envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian adviser Kirill Dmitriev in Miami on Oct. 24; the plan was presented to Ukrainian official Rustem Umerov; Army Secretary Dan Driscoll held two hours of meetings in Kyiv including 45 minutes with Zelenskyy.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the proposal as seeking a 'win‑win scenario'; ceasefire would take effect immediately upon both sides’ agreement.
2:12 AM
Scoop: Trump peace plan for Ukraine includes NATO-style security guarantee
New information:
- U.S. presented a separate draft security guarantee modeled on NATO Article 5 that would treat a significant, deliberate, sustained Russian attack across the armistice line as an attack on the transatlantic community, enabling a collective response including military force.
- The security guarantee would last an initial 10 years and be renewable by mutual consent.
- Signature lines appear for Ukraine, the U.S., the EU, NATO and Russia; a senior White House official says Russia was briefed on the draft.
- A senior White House official and another source with direct knowledge confirmed the document’s legitimacy; Army Secretary Dan Driscoll delivered the 28‑point plan in person to Zelensky on Thursday.
- Trump envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the guarantee with Ukraine’s Rustem Umerov over the weekend before it was shared in writing with Zelensky.
12:05 AM
Trump's Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg expected to leave his post as new peace plan emerges
New information:
- Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg has informed the White House he will leave his post in January, per two senior administration officials.
- The emerging White House peace plan is being coordinated by envoy Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, an adviser to Vladimir Putin.
- Officials say the plan calls for major concessions by Kyiv, including ceding territory to Russia and abandoning certain weaponry.
- Kellogg’s role had diminished as Witkoff became the president’s chief interlocutor with Putin and his advisers.
November 20, 2025
11:50 PM
White House pushes new 28-point peace plan with concessions Ukraine previously rejected
New information:
- PBS NewsHour says it independently obtained the 28-point plan document.
- The plan explicitly blocks NATO from sending troops to Ukraine, in addition to barring NATO expansion.
- PBS ties the document directly to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll’s current diplomatic visit to Kyiv and notes it references Ukrainian security guarantees.
10:33 PM
Trump's full 28-point Ukraine-Russia peace plan
New information:
- Axios obtained and published the full 28-point draft plan, verified by a Ukrainian official, a U.S. official and a third source.
- Key terms include Ukraine permanently forswearing NATO membership, capping the size of its military, and making additional territorial concessions in the east.
- Plan proposes sanctions on Russia be lifted, partial use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction, Russia’s return to the G8, and long-term U.S.–Russia cooperation in AI and mining.
- Calls for a "decisive coordinated military response" to any future Russian incursions (role of the U.S. not specified).
- Includes amnesty for actions during the war, implying no war-crimes prosecutions for Russian officials/soldiers.
- Requires Ukraine to hold elections within 100 days of a deal.
- Documents a non‑aggression agreement among Russia, Ukraine and Europe and a halt to further NATO expansion.
- Kirill Dmitriev confirms consultations and says Russia feels its position is ‘really being heard’; a U.S. official describes the plan as a ‘live document’ and expects an aggressive timeline.
- Confirms Steve Witkoff drafted the plan with input from Marco Rubio and Jared Kushner; Driscoll presented it in writing to Zelensky.
5:20 PM
Zelensky agrees to negotiate on Trump's peace plan for Ukraine
New information:
- Zelensky told U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll he is willing to work with the Trump administration on the peace plan and agreed to negotiate.
- Zelensky’s office stated both sides would work on the plan’s provisions to achieve a 'just end to the war' and that he expects to discuss it with President Trump in the coming days.
- Driscoll presented Zelensky a copy of the plan in Kyiv; a U.S. official said Zelensky and Driscoll agreed on an 'aggressive timeline for signature.'
- The White House tasked Driscoll to help 'kickstart negotiations' on behalf of envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- Witkoff reassured Germany’s foreign minister that the document is a 'framework of ideas' and invited European and Ukrainian input after earlier concerns they were not consulted.
4:18 PM
U.S. and Russia have reportedly drawn up a plan for Ukraine. EU leaders say they and Kyiv must be involved
New information:
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas publicly said any plan must include Ukrainians and Europeans, speaking ahead of an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels.
- AP, citing a senior U.S. official, reports special envoy Steve Witkoff has been working on the plan for about a month with input from both Kyiv and Moscow.
- White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller declined to comment on the reported plan’s details but emphasized President Trump’s desire to reach a settlement.
- Several senior U.S. Army officials, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, were in Kyiv on Thursday to push peace efforts and assess conditions on the ground.
- A person briefed on the plan’s contours told AP it would require Ukraine to cede territory (including control of parts of Donbas) and abandon certain weaponry.
1:09 PM
Trump approves Ukraine-Russia peace plan, but without Ukraine on board
New information:
- A senior White House official confirmed to CBS News that President Trump has approved a 28‑point plan to end the war.
- Ukraine has not backed the proposal, according to CBS sources.
- The plan would freeze current battle lines, require Ukraine to abandon territory, give up some weapons and shrink its army.
- Envoy Steve Witkoff has been working on the proposal for about a month, consulting both Russians and Ukrainians.
- White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said he had no announcements but called peace a priority of U.S. foreign policy.
- The U.S. greenlit a $100 million package to upgrade Ukraine’s Patriot systems as Army Secretary Dan Driscoll arrived in Kyiv.
- CBS updates the Ternopil strike toll to at least 26 dead, including three children, with 19 burned to death in apartments.
11:53 AM
White House’s Ukraine Peace Plan Draws Pushback
New information:
- European officials are pushing back on the U.S. proposal, warning it must not result in Ukrainian capitulation.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said any peace plan requires the backing of European capitals.
- European officials intend to use their Washington ties to steer the administration away from terms seen as too favorable to Russia.
November 19, 2025
10:52 PM
U.S.-Russian Peace Plan Would Force Ukraine to Cede Land and Cut Army
New information:
- NYT reports the 28‑point plan was negotiated between the Trump administration and Russia and drafted without Ukrainian involvement.
- The plan would require Kyiv to surrender territory, significantly reduce the size of its army, and relinquish some types of weaponry.
- White House declined substantive comment; Stephen Miller said there was no news or announcement to make.
- U.S. has pressed Russia and Ukraine to present written settlement terms to serve as a basis for negotiations.
- Ukrainian opposition figure Kostiantyn Yelisieiev is quoted saying Ukraine’s position is weak amid corruption scandal and battlefield pressure.
7:55 PM
Army secretary lands in Kyiv with Trump's next move in Russia-Ukraine war
New information:
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has arrived in Kyiv (Nov. 19) with a senior team including Gen. Randy George, Lt. Gen. Chris Donahue, Maj. Gen. Michael Buzzard, CSM Michael Weiner and Col. Dave Butler.
- Driscoll is acting as a special representative to help kick-start a peace process; his team will meet Zelenskyy, Ukrainian military, defense industry leaders and lawmakers.
- A defense official says Driscoll is not carrying the reported peace proposal to Ukraine and a meeting with the Russian side is being arranged for the future, not during this trip.
- U.S.–Ukraine defense industry talks include a potential drone technology exchange; the Army aims to produce 1 million drones in 2–3 years, while Ukraine claims capacity for 8 million annually.
- The administration approved another $105 million sale of Patriot launchers and related parts to Ukraine.
- Ukraine says it used U.S.-made ATACMS to strike targets inside Russia, signaling a possible U.S. policy shift on use of American weapons against Russian territory.
5:30 PM
Scoop: Trump plan asks Ukraine to cede additional territory for security guarantee
New information:
- Plan would grant Russia full de facto control of all of Donetsk and Luhansk (Donbas), including areas Ukraine still holds (~12%), with those areas designated as demilitarized zones where Russia cannot position troops.
- In Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, lines would largely be frozen with some Russian land returns subject to negotiation.
- The U.S. and other countries would recognize Crimea and the Donbas as lawfully Russian; Ukraine would not be required to recognize them.
- Ukrainian military could face limits on overall size and use of long-range weapons in exchange for U.S. security guarantees (scope of guarantees not fully defined).
- Qatar and Turkey are involved in drafting/supporting the U.S. mediation; a senior Qatari official joined talks between Witkoff and Zelensky adviser Rustem Umerov.
- A planned Ankara trilateral with Zelensky and Turkish FM Hakan Fidan was postponed amid signs Zelensky was walking back prior understandings.
- U.S. source says Zelensky empowered Umerov to negotiate and that several of Umerov’s comments were incorporated; a Ukrainian official confirms Umerov was briefed orally but denies accepting terms and says no written proposal was received.
- Confirms Witkoff held extensive discussions with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev prior to the U.S.-Ukraine meeting.
4:55 PM
Pentagon officials in Ukraine to discuss military tech, explore peace efforts
New information:
- CBS confirms Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and a senior Pentagon delegation arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday; delegation members include Gen. Randy George, Gen. Chris Donahue, and SMA Michael Weimer.
- Army spokesman Col. David Butler says the team is on a fact‑finding mission to meet Ukrainian officials and discuss efforts to end the war.
- Driscoll will view Ukrainian military/industry technology (drones and AI) and is scheduled to meet President Zelenskyy to try to restart negotiations.
- A Ukrainian official tells CBS that Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump have agreed to stop the conflict along existing lines of engagement and on security guarantees (while Ukraine has not agreed to permanently cede territory).
- The White House chose a Pentagon-led delegation believing military-to-military messaging may be more effective with Russia.
- U.S. has resumed intelligence sharing with Ukraine; Ukraine has used U.K.-provided long-range systems and drones to strike inside Russia.
- A defense official says Driscoll intends to meet Russian officials in the future; a Russian official tells CBS Russia is open to talks and notes Putin invited Trump to Moscow in August.
- Kirill Dmitriev told Axios he and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff wrote a 28‑point peace plan during a recent Miami meeting.
3:24 PM
Russian pummels Ukraine, killing 25 as U.S. tries to revive peace talks
New information:
- A U.S. official confirmed to CBS News that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll was in Ukraine on Wednesday as part of a delegation trying to restart peace talks.
- Zelenskyy hinted at forthcoming U.S. moves and noted new U.S. sanctions on Russia’s oil sector are due to take effect Friday.
1:42 AM
Trump Sends Pentagon Officials to Ukraine in Effort to Restart Peace Talks
New information:
- President Trump sent a high‑level Pentagon delegation to Kyiv to try to restart peace talks.
- The delegation includes Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and two four‑star Army generals, including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.
- Driscoll and the generals were scheduled to meet Wednesday with President Zelensky, Ukrainian officials, and military/industry leaders.
- Driscoll also plans to meet Russian officials at a later date.
1:00 AM
Scoop: U.S. secretly drafting new plan to end Ukraine war
New information:
- The Trump administration is secretly drafting a 28-point plan to end the Ukraine war, in consultation with Russia.
- Steve Witkoff is leading the effort for the White House and met for three days in Miami (Oct. 24–26) with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
- A Ukrainian official confirmed Witkoff met Zelensky’s national security adviser Rustem Umerov in Miami; a planned Zelensky meeting in Turkey was postponed.
- A White House official says the administration is briefing European allies and Ukrainians and sees a real chance to get them on board.
- Dmitriev says the framework builds on principles Trump and Putin discussed in Alaska in August and aims at broader European security.
November 18, 2025