President Donald Trump's peace proposal for ending the Russia-Ukraine war that started in 2022 is landing very differently depending on who you ask. The plan has Moscow nodding in approval while European capitals and Washington lawmakers are pumping the brakes.
The proposal puts some tough asks on the table for Ukraine: cede additional territory, scale back military capabilities, and drop the bid for NATO membership. Trump set a Thursday deadline for signatures, which adds urgency to an already tense situation.
Europe's Leaders Huddle With Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn't waste time responding. He jumped on a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to coordinate their approach.
"We are working on the document prepared by the American side. This must be a plan that ensures a real and dignified peace," Zelenskyy posted on X.
Merz weighed in separately, saying "the contact line must remain the basis for any talks" while backing Zelenskyy fully. The message seemed clear: European leaders aren't ready to push Ukraine into a deal that looks like capitulation.
Warsaw and Washington Push Back
Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski got straight to the point: "It is not the victim's ability to defend itself that should be limited, but the invader's ability to carry out aggression."
Sen. Roger Wicker wasn't much warmer, calling the plan's prospects problematic. "Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to one of the world's most flagrant war criminals in Vladimir Putin," Wicker wrote, expressing serious doubts the proposal would actually deliver peace.
Russia and Hungary See Opportunity
Kirill Dmitriev, a close Putin ally, said Russian President Vladimir Putin believes the plan "can serve as the foundation for a final settlement of the Ukrainian conflict." That's about as enthusiastic as Moscow gets publicly.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban praised Trump's initiative, saying it "has gained new momentum" with "expectations high worldwide." He took a shot at Brussels leadership: "While Washington is negotiating peace, the President of the Commission is busy figuring out how to secure even more money for Ukraine and for financing the war."
The split reactions highlight how complicated this gets. What Russia calls a reasonable foundation, others see as rewarding aggression. And Ukraine sits in the middle, weighing survival against sovereignty with a Thursday deadline looming.
