America plans to give Russia a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine very soon. Trump and his team see this as a big win for their foreign policy goals since he promised to end the war during his campaign. People wonder if this ceasefire can actually happen. And if it does, can it fairly end the three-year war in ways that keep everyone safe?
The proposal says Ukraine agrees to start an immediate 30-day ceasefire that both sides can extend if they want. The deal requires Russia to accept and follow these terms simultaneously. The US will tell Russia they must cooperate if peace is going to happen. The word "immediate" stands out here—Trump clearly wants fighting to stop right away. His rush makes many European countries nervous.
These countries worry that hurrying toward peace without setting clear rules first takes the pressure off Russia as the attacker. They believe a quick truce might let Russia take advantage of the situation. They think this approach gives more power to the occupying forces. Many fear Ukraine might basically surrender. Russia has more people, more military supplies, and more land - they could use a pause without making any promises to strengthen their position.
Russia might drag out talks and wait to see what happens politically with Trump during his term. They already hold Ukrainian territory and might try to grab more land later. The worry extends beyond Ukraine—Russia could threaten other parts of Europe if Western allies split on their approach. Setting terms before stopping fights matters because it turns current military leverage into real strategic gains.
Zelensky tried to convince Americans that Putin could not be trusted based on how Russia broke previous European-backed agreements after taking Ukrainian land in 2014. Trump brushes these concerns aside and claims Ukraine will have security without explaining how. He says Putin has "no choice" but to make a deal for reasons "only I know." Rubio mentioned talking with Ukrainians about permanent war solutions, including "guarantees for long-term security and prosperity," but gave no details.
The agreement says America will restart intelligence sharing and security help for Ukraine right away. This represents a major victory for Zelensky since US weapons worth about $2 billion each month will start flowing again. Ukraine will also receive American intelligence data and satellite images that help target Russian positions. The White House had stopped this help because they felt Zelensky wasn't supporting Trump's peace plan.
Zelensky raised concerns when he visited but was kicked out of the Oval Office. He probably set those worries aside to welcome this agreement because he needs American military support. The document includes confusing language about negotiating teams. It remains unclear whether these talks involve Ukraine and America figuring out security guarantees or Ukraine and Russia directly working to end the war after a ceasefire begins.
If the first option proves true, Washington and Kyiv will decide how to protect Ukraine and prevent Russia from breaking the truce. Then, America will discuss these ideas with Moscow. This falls far short of what Zelensky wanted - joining NATO - which Trump says will never happen. That represents a huge long-term concession to Russian demands. The agreement makes a vague reference to European peacekeepers suggested by Britain and France, but America seems hesitant after Moscow firmly rejected the idea.
Another part mentions presidents agreeing to quickly make a deal about developing Ukrainian mineral resources. This would give America future interests in some Ukrainian state-owned mineral deposits plus oil and gas money. Trump believes this creates security for Ukraine because American companies would operate there, deterring Russian attacks. Critics point out this protection failed before since the US economic presence didn't stop Putin in 2014 or 2022.
The document specifically notes Ukraine's delegation expressing "strong gratitude to President Trump." This section might explain why Zelensky looks better to the White House lately. Vance had criticized him during the Oval Office meeting for not thanking Trump, even though the Ukrainian leader thanked America many times before. Trump finally has an official Ukrainian thank you written on paper meant to bring peace.
The proposal says Ukraine agrees to start an immediate 30-day ceasefire that both sides can extend if they want. The deal requires Russia to accept and follow these terms simultaneously. The US will tell Russia they must cooperate if peace is going to happen. The word "immediate" stands out here—Trump clearly wants fighting to stop right away. His rush makes many European countries nervous.
These countries worry that hurrying toward peace without setting clear rules first takes the pressure off Russia as the attacker. They believe a quick truce might let Russia take advantage of the situation. They think this approach gives more power to the occupying forces. Many fear Ukraine might basically surrender. Russia has more people, more military supplies, and more land - they could use a pause without making any promises to strengthen their position.
Russia might drag out talks and wait to see what happens politically with Trump during his term. They already hold Ukrainian territory and might try to grab more land later. The worry extends beyond Ukraine—Russia could threaten other parts of Europe if Western allies split on their approach. Setting terms before stopping fights matters because it turns current military leverage into real strategic gains.
Zelensky tried to convince Americans that Putin could not be trusted based on how Russia broke previous European-backed agreements after taking Ukrainian land in 2014. Trump brushes these concerns aside and claims Ukraine will have security without explaining how. He says Putin has "no choice" but to make a deal for reasons "only I know." Rubio mentioned talking with Ukrainians about permanent war solutions, including "guarantees for long-term security and prosperity," but gave no details.
The agreement says America will restart intelligence sharing and security help for Ukraine right away. This represents a major victory for Zelensky since US weapons worth about $2 billion each month will start flowing again. Ukraine will also receive American intelligence data and satellite images that help target Russian positions. The White House had stopped this help because they felt Zelensky wasn't supporting Trump's peace plan.
Zelensky raised concerns when he visited but was kicked out of the Oval Office. He probably set those worries aside to welcome this agreement because he needs American military support. The document includes confusing language about negotiating teams. It remains unclear whether these talks involve Ukraine and America figuring out security guarantees or Ukraine and Russia directly working to end the war after a ceasefire begins.
If the first option proves true, Washington and Kyiv will decide how to protect Ukraine and prevent Russia from breaking the truce. Then, America will discuss these ideas with Moscow. This falls far short of what Zelensky wanted - joining NATO - which Trump says will never happen. That represents a huge long-term concession to Russian demands. The agreement makes a vague reference to European peacekeepers suggested by Britain and France, but America seems hesitant after Moscow firmly rejected the idea.
Another part mentions presidents agreeing to quickly make a deal about developing Ukrainian mineral resources. This would give America future interests in some Ukrainian state-owned mineral deposits plus oil and gas money. Trump believes this creates security for Ukraine because American companies would operate there, deterring Russian attacks. Critics point out this protection failed before since the US economic presence didn't stop Putin in 2014 or 2022.
The document specifically notes Ukraine's delegation expressing "strong gratitude to President Trump." This section might explain why Zelensky looks better to the White House lately. Vance had criticized him during the Oval Office meeting for not thanking Trump, even though the Ukrainian leader thanked America many times before. Trump finally has an official Ukrainian thank you written on paper meant to bring peace.
