Political scientist and international expert Maksym Nesvitailov expressed this opinion on Espreso TV."Considering the significant corruption scandal in Ukraine, a brewing political crisis, and waning support for President Zelenskyy, Russia showed little genuine interest in implementing the plan. We now know they wrote this plan and delivered it to the United States, which only confirms they never intended to adhere to it. They had a straightforward strategy they could have employed to force Ukraine to the negotiating table and compel it to make compromises," he stated.At the very least, Nesvitailov noted, this strategy would have placed Ukraine in an extremely difficult position."Putin could have publicly announced, 'Look, there is an excellent plan on the table—I've seen it, it's Donald Trump's plan.' This is what the media was calling it, after all. He could have then declared, 'We either sign this plan as it is written, or all negotiations are off.' For Russia, this would have been a fantastic deal. The pressure from the United States would have been immense; Trump would have been unleashed to lean on us heavily. Furthermore, the internal pressure within Ukraine would have been severe. Let's be honest: if the public were told that signing this plan would bring peace tomorrow, a significant portion of Ukrainians would have supported it. We have to be realistic and acknowledge that. Russia chose not to pursue this path for one simple reason: even a peace this disadvantageous to Ukraine is not enough for them. They want more.""This is because, first and foremost, this is an existential war," he remarked. "It is a war of annihilation. This is one of two primary reasons for their actions."The expert emphasized that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's goal is to destroy Ukraine as it currently exists and to eradicate all elements of Ukrainian identity."For anyone who fails to grasp what is happening in the occupied territories, I urge you to look at the wealth of available materials. There are numerous accounts detailing how speaking a single word of Ukrainian can get you thrown into a basement, never to return home. The first reason for Russia's actions is the existential nature of this war—a concept that American leaders seem unable to comprehend. Some individuals in power there don't even seem to know the meaning of the word 'existential,' so how could they possibly grasp the situation? This is why you have figures like J.D. Vance making perplexing statements, asking why both sides can't just stop shooting and start trading.""In response to such a question," Nesvitailov continued, "one is tempted to ask: After the 9/11 attacks, why did the U.S. feel it was necessary to start a war on terrorism? Why not just trade with Afghanistan and Iraq? Why not pursue cultural exchanges with al-Qaeda? And yet, for some reason, a military response was chosen. The second reason for Russia's behavior relates directly to China," he concluded.On November 23, in Geneva, Switzerland, the Ukrainian and American delegations discussed the 28 points of the so-called Witkoff-Dmitriev peace plan, drawn up with the participation of the Kremlin.At the same time, Europe proposed its own 28 points for a plan to end Russia's war with Ukraine: the full text of the proposal has been published.On November 24, the spokesman for the Russian dictator, Dmitry Peskov, said that the Russian Federation had not received any information about the negotiations between Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S. in Geneva, and was also unaware of the new text for a war settlement based on the results of the meetings.Later, Trump expressed doubt about the possibility of achieving "great progress" in the Ukrainian-Russian negotiations.On November 24, the President's Office stated that the 28-point plan, in the form that everyone had seen, no longer exists.The next day, the head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, announced that Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to hold talks with President Trump "as soon as possible" to finalize the peace agreement. The meeting could take place on Thanksgiving, November 27.

1. The Russians want to disrupt negotiations using others' hands. They failed to do this with Ukrainian hands, so they are trying to play their favorite game: sowing informational chaos and causing psychosis in the American political establishment. They were quite successful at this during the last election campaign.2. The Russians clearly did not expect such pressure from Trump. Putin doesn't want negotiations but is forced to play this game. And to disrupt the negotiations, a global scandal in the U.S. is needed. However, it seems Trump has decided to play this game to the end. And this leak will force Trump to accelerate the processes.3. I have repeatedly written that there are three obstacles on the path to a peace treaty:The territorial issue;Security guarantees for Europe;Putin's unwillingness to end the war, as he understands that in the event of a truce, he is signing a surrender. And his surrender means that Russia will definitively, and for at least a decade, lose its chance to become a third pole in the world.4. Yesterday, for the first time, Trump spoke about security guarantees for Europe. And this suggests that this problem might be overcome.5. Therefore, two points remain — territories (it seems we are quite close to a quasi-solution) and Putin's unwillingness. The only thing that can be said for sure now is: if Putin refuses the treaty, sanctions will be sharply increased. And the refusal itself will be another giant leap away from being a third world pole towards political dependence on China.SourceAbout the author: Vadym Denysenko, political scientist.The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.

Ihor Chalenko, head of the Center for Analysis and Strategies, stated this on Espreso TV."The chances for success on the peace track exist, but they are diminishing with each passing day. It was quite obvious that the push made by the Trump administration, based on the Dmitriev-Witkoff plan, would not be accepted by the Ukrainian side. And after the plan was adjusted in Geneva, we saw a special operation by Russian special services to disrupt the process. The leak of negotiations between Ushakov and Witkoff, and between Ushakov and Dmitriev, is very reminiscent of an attempt by one of the influence groups in the Kremlin to derail the peace process," noted Chalenko.According to the head of the Center for Analysis and Strategies, the Kremlin is now trying to fracture the relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine, as the publication of the tapes of conversations between Witkoff and Ushakov could not have happened without a direct order from Putin."That is, Putin tried to force Ukraine into another capitulation through the American approach, but he failed, and now everything is rolling back. However, it is worth noting that America is definitely not stepping aside. The only question that remains now is to what extent U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be able to continue coordinating the process," Chalenko added.U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.U.S. President Donald Trump commented on media reports about past conversations between his special representative, Steve Witkoff, and Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov. He called them 'standard negotiation.'

The author of the Resurgam Telegram channel discussed the issue.The source of the Bloomberg leak remains unclear. Theories abound: Moscow operatives engaged in internal power struggles between the Lavrov and Dmitriev factions, competing U.S. forces battling for influence following reports of chaos within the American delegation at Swiss negotiations, Ukrainian intelligence, or other actors entirely. The truth may never emerge, but the identity of the leaker matters less than the implications of the disclosure itself.What's evident is that this leak appears far from accidental. The timing is particularly damaging for Witkoff, coming at a moment when media attention is laser-focused on unfolding diplomatic events. More significantly, the disclosure surfaced just as reports indicated Witkoff would return to the Kremlin, effectively undermining the legitimacy of any agreements he might broker there. The audience for this scandal extends beyond Washington and Moscow—European allies are watching closely, as are key U.S. partners including Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.An intriguing detail emerged before the leak broke. In a recent speech, Trump stated: "I received a full report on the progress achieved together (from) Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles."The inclusion of Wiles in this context is unusual. She rarely features in discussions about peace negotiations, but her presence may be telling. Wiles managed Trump's election campaign and has long served as a gatekeeper, protecting Trump from his own impulses and shielding him from advisors who might cause critical damage.With midterm elections on the horizon, Wiles is gearing up for another campaign cycle with the same mandate: protect Trump from Trump and from dangerous liabilities. The Moscow connection has already cast shadows over previous elections, something Wiles would be keen to avoid repeating. Given that Secret Service documents and other sensitive materials pass through her office, her involvement takes on added significance.This points to a third reason the leak may be strategic: upcoming elections and the risk that Witkoff could further compromise Trump and Republican prospects. Left unchecked, Witkoff's backroom dealings could mushroom into a scandal rivaling that of Michael Flynn, Trump's first-term national security advisor who was caught conducting unauthorized communications with the Kremlin and ultimately forced to resign.Trump has predictably defended Witkoff. Admitting error isn't in his playbook—Trump never acknowledges mistakes about people or anything else. He's currently echoing whatever information was last presented to him. Not enough time has passed for the full weight of Witkoff-gate to register, or for advisors to fully brief him on the political risks. But Trump's loyalty has limits. Everyone becomes expendable when they threaten his interests, whether Elon Musk or Marjorie Taylor Greene.The critical objective now is ensuring that Witkoff-gate achieves the same status as the Flynn scandal in public consciousness—a controversy that triggered resignation, national security reviews, and treason investigations. Trump may never accept this framing, but if the media, Congress, and international partners treat it as such, the political pressure could make disposing of Witkoff easier than defending "an old friend."The leak creates two strategic opportunities: first, to remove Witkoff from diplomatic processes as a compromised figure; second, to cast doubt on any agreements he negotiates with the Kremlin should that become necessary.Trump won't admit fault in appointing Witkoff or acknowledge his compromise, just as he never did with Flynn. But Witkoff's term as special representative expires at year's end, and preventing its extension is paramount. The goal isn't public accusations or admissions of guilt, but quiet "recommendations" that Trump let Witkoff's authority lapse. Rumors of such a move circulated even before this scandal broke. The timing of the recordings' release—coinciding precisely with the decision on extending Witkoff's term—is no coincidence.U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.U.S. President Donald Trump commented on media reports about past conversations between his special representative, Steve Witkoff, and Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov. He called them 'standard negotiation.'

Espreso correspondent Tetiana Vysotska reported the information."It's interesting that the Europeans have started to play this trump card of frozen assets. And if you listen to the statements of European politicians, they all said that they would look for a way to use the frozen assets of the Russian Federation for the benefit of Ukraine, thus continuing the pressure on Russia.It is also interesting that yesterday Macron said that in the coming days there are two priority issues – security guarantees for Ukraine and the use of frozen assets," Vysotska emphasized.According to the correspondent, Ursula von der Leyen, speaking in the European Parliament, noted that the European Commission has already prepared a legal justification for the use of frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine."That is, the matter is moving forward, but there is still a small piece of work left – to convince Belgium, on whose territory the frozen assets are located. But, perhaps, if all the leading leaders and the European Commission already have a plan, then Belgium may agree to it, if it is legally flawless," Vysotska added.Ukraine has accepted the core terms of a U.S.-brokered peace proposal to end the nearly four-year war with Russia, though critical details remain unresolved and Moscow has yet to publicly respond to the agreement.

And it was the Russian special services who were listening. Therefore, I am 99% sure that the leak also came from the Russians."More precisely, from their so-called 'war party,' which sees a danger in the possible success of the group represented by Dmitriev, and in the rise of Dmitriev himself in such a case."This conditional 'war party' does not want the war to stop, because against its backdrop, they are carrying out a gigantic redistribution of assets, taking factories and steamships from those who are further from Putin. And money is needed for the war. Therefore, they are currently cutting the 'feeding trough' for anyone who is even slightly disloyal or not part of their clientele.This is the source of the mass falls from windows and the strange suicides of officials, company directors, and deputies.This does not mean that there is a 'peace party' in Russia.It's just that the conditional liberal-Chekists, among whom Dmitriev is one, want a little less open warfare in order to boost the economy. That is the only difference.So, the leak of the Ushakov-Dmitriev negotiations is, in my opinion, an echo of this under-the-carpet struggle for resources and influence over the aging tsar. Will this stop the negotiations? No. But it will slow them down significantly.So, here I agree with the assessment of the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Budanov. The window of opportunity for real agreements is February.Because by that time, the Russian offensive will have stalled somewhere. And winter will be coming to an end. Because the critical date for Ukraine, March 1st, will be approaching—by which it must be determined what we will live on in 2026 and whether Europe will provide the funds for it.Well, and now there is also the factor of this scandal.Something like that.SourceAbout the author. Bohdan Butkevych, journalist, serviceman.The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.

Defense Express reported the information.India's Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed an agreement with France's Safran Electronics and Defence to establish local production of AASM Hammer guided air-to-ground munitions, with plans to eventually source 60% of components domestically through a 50-50 joint venture. The Indian Air Force and Navy already deploy these weapons on French Rafale and indigenous Tejas fighters, mirroring a capability that has proven highly effective in Ukrainian combat operations.The AASM Hammer has demonstrated exceptional performance in Ukraine's ongoing war, but current supply volumes fall far short of operational requirements. France planned to manufacture only 1,200 units this year, with Ukraine receiving just a portion of that production—a constraint that has military planners looking for alternatives to foreign dependency.Establishing domestic production would address multiple strategic imperatives for Ukraine. Beyond dramatically increasing supply volumes and reducing per-unit costs while strengthening the domestic defense industrial base, local manufacturing would provide crucial flexibility to scale production according to battlefield demands rather than export allocation decisions made in Paris.The case for localization becomes even more compelling when considering Ukraine's future fighter fleet composition. Kyiv has committed to purchasing 100 Rafale fighters, which use AASM Hammer as their primary precision-guided munition. Ukraine's existing Su-27, Su-25, MiG-29, and F-16 aircraft can already carry these weapons, meaning nearly the entire current Ukrainian Air Force inventory—and a significant portion of future platforms—could employ a standardized munition.With Ukraine also ordering 150 JAS 39 Gripen fighters, the potential for complete munitions standardization across the fleet presents significant logistical advantages. Using a single guided bomb type would simplify supply chains, reduce training requirements, and lower overall operational costs compared to maintaining multiple weapon systems.The AASM Hammer's technical characteristics make it particularly suited to Ukraine's operational environment. Unlike American JDAM-ER munitions, the French weapon incorporates a solid-fuel rocket motor that enables launches from lower altitudes and extends range—critical capabilities when operating in airspace contested by dense Russian air defense networks and fighter patrols.Recent uncertainty surrounding U.S. military assistance has also highlighted the risks of over-reliance on American weapons systems, whose supply can be interrupted by political decisions in Washington. A European alternative manufactured domestically would provide Ukraine with greater strategic autonomy and supply security during extended conflict.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reported the information.The enterprise was hit, and a fire broke out at the facility afterward."The VNIIR-Progress plant is engaged in the production of GNSS receivers and antennas for the GLONASS, GPS, and Galileo satellite systems, including Kometa type modules used in Shahed-type 'kamikaze' drones, as well as in missiles for the Iskander-M and Kalibr complexes, and UMPK modules for aerial bombs," the General Staff noted.They added that the extent of the damage caused is being clarified.In addition, Ukrainian drones struck a command post of one of the units from the 58th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied Vasylivka, Zaporizhzhia region, a Tor-M1 anti-aircraft missile system in Mariupol, brigade-level ammunition depots in Ocheretyne and Kamianka in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk region, as well as a location of enemy personnel accumulation in the Pokrovsk direction.What preceded this?Previously, the Russian Telegram channel Astra reported that the VNIIR-Progress enterprise, which produces Kometa antennas for the Russian army, had come under a drone attack. It was noted that these antennas are used to protect Russian strike UAVs from Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.On the night of November 26, residents of Cheboksary reported numerous explosions.According to Astra, five instances of attacks and fires were recorded in the city. Geodata showed that the drones hit the JSC VNIIR-Progress at 4 Yakovlev Street, and also damaged a residential building at 37 Mir Avenue.OSINT analysis confirmed the fire near the plant, and a video filmed from a distance of about 500 meters captured a direct hit by drones on the enterprise's building. Another video shows smoke after the attack, filmed from Mir Avenue — approximately 340 meters from the impact site.VNIIR-Progress is part of the ABS Electro production association. The plant has many years of experience in the development and production of scientific and technical products, software and hardware complexes, automation and control systems, electrotechnical products, electronic component bases, electronic modules, and radio-electronic products.On the night of July 5, Ukrainian forces attacked an enterprise of the Russian military-industrial complex in Cheboksary, which manufactures components for Shahed drones, Iskander-K missiles, and guided aerial bombs.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reported the information."The situation in southern Ukraine, in particular in the Huliaipole direction, is currently really tense. The enemy is conducting active assault operations, increasing the number of artillery shellings and the use of 'kamikaze' drones," the report says.Over the past day, Russia carried out more than three dozen assaults, more than 500 artillery shellings using more than 2,100 munitions, about ten airstrikes, 250 drops from drones and almost 2,000 'kamikaze' drone attacks.The General Staff emphasized that despite the difficult situation, Ukrainian defenders are holding their positions, have stable communication and logistics, and are eliminating 250-300 soldiers and more than fifty pieces of equipment every day."Fierce battles are being fought for every meter of our native land. The situation in the direction is really difficult, but there is no encirclement, communication is maintained with our fighters, logistics are established, and the wounded are being evacuated. Moreover, the information about the so-called 'blocking detachments' that are blocking our units is not true," the department said. On the contrary, assault units are being sent to strengthen the defense. The command reacts promptly to changes: if possible, it holds positions, and if there is a lack of resources, it withdraws personnel to favorable lines in order to save lives and subsequently stop the enemy."The expediency of one or another decision can only be determined by those persons who have sufficient data on the operational situation at the front. Citizens and the media have the right to express their own point of view, share their thoughts and conclusions, but the main distributor of reliable information about the course of military operations is the General Staff," the report noted.The General Staff called on the media and the public to rely only on verified data and not to trust questionable sources that may work for the benefit of the enemy.As of November 15, the Defense Forces left Novovasylivske in the Zaporizhzhia region and retreated to more favorable defensive lines to save the lives of the military.

Evidently, its emergence is linked to a group within President Trump's circle—specifically Witkoff and Kushner—who were immensely impressed by the success they believe they achieved in brokering agreements between Israel and Hamas regarding the Gaza Strip. It seemed to them that a similar model could be applied to the Russian-Ukrainian war."But this was a completely flawed idea, as comparing the conflict between Israel and Hamas with the war between Russia and Ukraine is extremely dangerous and misguided. If only for the reason that Ukraine, unlike Hamas, is an independent state. Ukraine is a sovereign country that makes its own decisions about its future."Hamas, on the other hand, is dependent on a number of Persian Gulf states that seek good relations with the U.S., want to do business with them, and are authoritarian regimes. Ukraine, however, is a democratic country with a different goal: to survive and preserve itself as a state. It aspires to be a member of the European Union. Therefore, attempts to mechanically transfer the Gaza model to Ukraine are not just unacceptable, but also dangerous.This is precisely why Witkoff called Ushakov and suggested how Putin should act to disrupt the transfer of Tomahawks to Ukraine and render Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the U.S. ineffective—a visit that was supposed to be successful but, in fact, became merely a formality. They truly succeeded in this first stage of the operation. Another of their goals was to cancel existing sanctions, prevent the adoption of new ones, and stop Ukraine from receiving a reparations loan from the EU.At that time, Dmitriev and Witkoff developed a 28-point plan that fully aligned with Russian interests—a plan to end the war by stripping Ukraine of its sovereignty and creating conditions for further occupation. Naturally, Ukraine could never support a document with such content. This is why Trump refrained from bringing this plan up for discussion for a long time.Subsequently, it is likely that either the Witkoff-Kushner group, seeking to profit from the plan's implementation, or the Russian side "leaked" the document into the information space. This forced Trump to publicly claim authorship and announce the start of the "plan's" implementation. If not for this information leak, the plan would have quietly "died" within the American administration: neither Rubio nor European partners would have ever supported it.Why it was important for Russia to publicize the plan in its original formRussia insisted that this specific, Russian version of the document become the basis for Trump's position. This is directly evidenced by the telephone conversations between Dmitriev and Ushakov, published by Bloomberg. It was critically important to them that the plan remain unchanged. As for the motive behind the emergence of the recorded conversations with Ushakov, the theory is this: after Rubio and European partners began to actively rewrite the document, making it acceptable to the West, Russia lost interest. To exit a process that no longer aligned with its goals, the recordings of conversations between Witkoff and Ushakov, and Dmitriev and Ushakov, were released. Because Putin does not need a real peace agreement for now."This large-scale information manipulation shows that Russia is ready to end the war—but exclusively on its own terms, which entail the liquidation of Ukrainian sovereignty and the complete defeat of Ukraine."Who in Ukraine supports this plan and whyThe people calling for the implementation of this plan are not actually advocating for peace, because peace cannot be achieved this way. Peace with Russia is possible only through strength. For this, we need support from the U.S.—in the form of sanctions—and support from the European Union, particularly funding for Ukraine in the form of a reparations loan or other instruments that will allow the state to survive the next year.Russia wanted to disrupt this very funding, which is why it initiated the most rapid promotion of its "peace plan" on its own terms.As always in such situations, politicians have emerged who are trying to take advantage of the chaos to earn the favor of Witkoff, Kushner, other people in Trump's circle, and perhaps even Putin himself. It is they who are promoting Russian narratives, calling for the plan's adoption, and voicing anti-European slogans that appeal to both Trump's circle and the Kremlin.After all, what unites these two forces today is the desire to see a weak Europe and to decide Europe's fate without Europe itself.On 'loss of sovereignty' as a tool of Russian and far-right propagandaSuch woeful politicians are imposing on Ukrainian society the narrative that Ukraine's accession to the EU would mean a loss of sovereignty. But these slogans are not new. All far-right parties that want to weaken the EU have been using them for many years.For instance, British politician Nigel Farage declares: "We must free ourselves from the shackles of the European Union and reclaim our sovereignty." Viktor Orbán says the same thing: "Brussels must respect our sovereignty. We will not allow its will to be imposed on us."All these forces—both in Great Britain and in the EU—oppose the European Union and simultaneously do not support Ukraine. Now, similar politicians are emerging in our country as well: they dream of coming to power through the support of Russia and certain groups in Trump's circle.But these dreams are dangerous for Ukraine. After all, it is precisely membership in the EU and the support of the EU that are our greatest guarantees of security, survival, and the very existence of the Ukrainian state.SourceAbout the author. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Ukrainian MP.The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of blogs or columns.

The Russian propaganda state agency TASS reported the information on November 26.According to Ushakov, the conversations with Witkoff were confidential and no one was supposed to disclose them.Ushakov added that Russia has not yet discussed the details of the peace plan with anyone, and a number of points require serious analysis. Also, according to him, the Russian Federation has not yet officially received the U.S. peace plan, but an "unofficial document exists."Putin's aide noted that the Russian Federation "views some aspects of the U.S. peace plan positively, but much requires discussion."In addition, Ushakov also expressed the opinion that Europeans are "interfering" in the peaceful settlement in Ukraine in a completely unnecessary way," noting that the Russian Federation and the U.S. are in contact regarding the peace plan, but there has been no serious "at the table" discussion.The aide to the Russian dictator summarized that the discussion of the United States' plan will take place during Steve Witkoff's visit. He also expressed hope that Witkoff will not come alone, but that "there will also be representatives of the Ukrainian team."According to Bloomberg, U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.

The lawmakers wrote about this on X."Actual traitor. Steve Witkoff is supposed to work for the United States, not Russia," stated Representative Ted Lieu.In turn, Congressman Dan Bacon stressed that Witkoff cannot be trusted to lead negotiations, calling for the special representative's dismissal."For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians. He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he?" Bacon wrote.American diplomat and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, called the disclosed conversation between Witkoff and Ushakov "shocking.""The job of all serving in national security jobs in the USG is to advance AMERICAN national interests, not the interests of other countries and especially not barbaric imperial warmongers like Putin," he emphasized.U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.U.S. President Donald Trump commented on media reports about past conversations between his special representative, Steve Witkoff, and Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov. He called them 'standard negotiation.'

Diplomat Oleh Shamshur stated this on Espreso TV."Regarding all these publications of Witkoff's conversations with Russian representatives, one can only guess how these recordings got to the journalists. Perhaps the publication of these conversations is beneficial to the journalists themselves to get some hot information; they certainly have their own sources for obtaining information," explained Shamshur.The diplomat considers it unlikely that the Russians themselves provided the recordings of Witkoff's conversations to Bloomberg journalists."Perhaps some of Witkoff's 'friends' leaked the recordings of his conversations with Ushakov and Dmitriev. There is also a theory, which is closer to a conspiracy theory, that the Russians themselves leaked this information to show how dependent Witkoff and others are on them. I believe such a scenario has a very low probability. Still, I believe that the leak of these conversations is a journalistic scoop to get more views and the possibility of obtaining new details," he added.U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.U.S. President Donald Trump commented on media reports about past conversations between his special representative, Steve Witkoff, and Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov. He called them 'standard negotiation.'

Ukrainian lawmaker Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze stated this on Espreso TV."In my opinion, after what we learned from the information from Bloomberg, the whole world found out about the conversation between Ushakov and Dmitriev and how they passed their plan through Witkoff to the Trump administration, which means that Russia has led the U.S. into a trap. Then they involved the whole world, including Ukraine, to work within this Russian trap. After the disclosure of these conversations, it is completely impossible to talk about the acceptability of that plan. We understand that this plan was written in Moscow. Ukraine has many red lines that were crossed there. Therefore, it is very difficult for me to say what exactly the Ukrainian delegation agreed upon with the U.S. on this peace plan," explained Klympush-Tsintsadze.According to the MP, Steve Witkoff effectively set up the Donald Trump administration. He presented the peace plan as his own, but it contained demands from Moscow."As for me, the right thing for Ukraine to do today would be to demand the removal of Steve Witkoff from the negotiation process. General Kellogg, as far as I know, was removed at Russia's request, allegedly due to a loss of trust. In this story, we have an unequivocal loss of trust and the fact that Witkoff de facto set up the Trump administration by presenting this plan, which was supposedly written by him but was agreed upon with the Russian Federation," she stressed.U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.U.S. President Donald Trump commented on media reports about past conversations between his special representative, Steve Witkoff, and Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov. He called them 'standard negotiation.'

The conversations between Witkoff and Ushakov, and Dmitriev and Ushakov, about the so-called 'peace plan,' published by Bloomberg, have shocked the world. Americans are astonished that Witkoff is advising the Russians on how to deceive Trump."From the very beginning of the discussions about the 'peace plan,' I wrote that it was prepared in Russia and deliberately injected into the information space to be presented as American. And even under these conditions, there was no chance that Putin would agree to it unless it stipulated the de facto capitulation of Ukraine."Therefore, while working productively with the U.S., it is essential to recognize that Europe remains an equally important ally for us.The war will continue. Only a strong Ukraine, as part of a strong Europe in cooperation with the U.S., will stop Putin.And yes, for this to happen, Ukraine must be effective, non-corrupt, and united.This should be a good lesson for those who were convinced of the reality of this "fake" Russian peace and criticized the European integration processes.SourceAbout the author. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Ukrainian lawmaker.The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of blogs or columns.

Politician Oleh Rybachuk, head of the NGO Center for Joint Actions, expressed this opinion on Espreso TV."Currently, the 'peace plan' is the top story in all news agencies, receiving maximum attention from European and American media. It seems to me that at this moment, we are playing a favorite game—'passing the hot potato.' Initially, Putin joyfully supported it, which is very strange because Russia, unlike Ukraine, has never supported Trump's initiatives. Trump would barely finish speaking before we would say, 'We're for it!'. But here, upon hearing this 28-point plan, Putin himself entered the arena and said he liked it and was ready to start negotiations based on it. And with that, Putin tossed the 'hot potato' to us," commented Oleh Rybachuk.According to him, the Ukrainian side, after reviewing this plan, realized it was completely unsuitable—it was tantamount to capitulation. If Ukraine had declared to the whole world and to Trump that it was completely unacceptable, the Kremlin would have achieved its goal, as if to say: "Putin made an attempt to achieve peace, but the fascist-Nazi-Bandera Ukraine and the Europeans, who do not want peace, refused.""We acted more wisely. Our president is now well-trained, and our diplomacy has done its work. It should be said that insiders from the Geneva meeting reported that there was enormous tension between the Ukrainian and American delegations at the beginning. After several hours, the heads of the delegations arrived at a version, removing the points most irritating to Ukraine and bringing their positions as close as possible. And now this 'hot potato' is once again being passed to the Kremlin. And Trump has stated that we have never been so close to peace," the politician noted.In his opinion, the Kremlin will be preparing to say "No"—it's unclear how Putin plans to do this after so much effort has been expended by top American negotiators."Obviously, Ukraine made certain compromises, but it was all successfully agreed upon. We have a Ukrainian-European-American plan against 'Baba-Yaga' [a witch from Slavic folklore, used as a pejorative for Russia], who has now taken a pause. And now the 'potato' is truly in the Kremlin's court. If the Russians say 'No' again, then we all turn our heads and look at Donald to see what he will tell us this time, since he constantly insists that 'Vladimir wants peace.' Time and again, various proposals are made, but 'Baba-Yaga' is against them," Rybachuk concluded.On Sunday, November 23, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, the Ukrainian and American delegations held discussions on the 28 points of the so-called Witkoff-Dmitriev peace plan, which was drafted with the Kremlin's involvement.On Tuesday, November 25, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Russian and Ukrainian sides are very close to an agreement to end the war.

Politico reported the information.The diplomatic chaos began when Army Secretary Dan Driscoll delivered an ultimatum to Ukraine and European allies last week, demanding acceptance of a controversial 28-point peace proposal by Thanksgiving "or else." However, when Rubio arrived in Geneva on Sunday to join the discussions, the administration's approach shifted dramatically."We believe that Marco Rubio's engagement in the continuation of talks is important," said a NATO country official, who noted that Rubio's involvement has "slowed down" the pace of negotiations in a positive way. "After yesterday, it has slowed down, and that's good."The turbulent week has highlighted two key aspects of the Trump administration's foreign policy approach. First, international partners view Rubio as a stabilizing force who can realign Washington with its allies rather than Moscow's positions. Second, Trump's preference for abandoning traditional policy coordination has created a chaotic environment where senior officials operate independently.Before Rubio's intervention, Vice President JD Vance appeared to be driving the process through his close ally Driscoll. But by Sunday's end, Rubio had taken control as discussions became more flexible, according to European officials familiar with the talks."He certainly had more control over the process Sunday than he had since Wednesday," said a European official involved in the negotiations.Rubio's participation brought immediate changes to the American position. The administration backed away from the firm Thanksgiving deadline, and Rubio described the peace proposal as a "living, breathing document" rather than a fixed ultimatum. The U.S. and Ukraine have now developed a revised 19-point plan that excludes territorial concessions, which will be discussed by both presidents."Rubio simply understands better than many others in the current administration that there is simply no way the Ukrainian government can sign the capitulation," the European official explained.However, questions remain about the coordination within Trump's team. Even as Rubio took the lead, other officials including deputy national security adviser Andy Baker, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner continued advocating positions that European and Ukrainian officials viewed as inconsistent with Rubio's approach."No one knows whether they are now all lockstep with Rubio," the official said.Confusion also persists over the origins of the original 28-point proposal. While American officials initially claimed it was a U.S. plan with Russian input, Senator Mike Rounds said Rubio told lawmakers the plan originally came from Russia. The State Department disputed this account, but some lawmakers continue questioning the role of Russian officials in the process."Things went in the right direction in Geneva. Still a work in progress, but looking much better now," said another European official. "Rubio is a pro who knows his stuff. But he works for the president who decides in the end."White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the administration's approach, stating that Trump's representatives are "working cohesively towards a shared goal — to end a war that has taken the lives of millions of people and prevent further loss of life through a durable and enforceable peace."The diplomatic episode reflects Trump's preference for an informal foreign policy apparatus where multiple officials pursue different approaches simultaneously. As one former congressional adviser noted, "the president wants to see who can get the best result" by having "all of his all-stars" approach problems from different perspectives.U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.U.S. President Donald Trump commented on media reports about past conversations between his special representative, Steve Witkoff, and Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov. He called them 'standard negotiation.'

His words were quoted by Bloomberg, The Washington Post, and Reuters.Trump told journalists that he had not reread the transcript of the phone call, but he heard that they were "standard negotiation."“He’s got to sell this to Ukraine. He’s going to sell Ukraine to Russia. That’s what a dealmaker does. You got to say, look, they want this, you got to convince them of this. I would imagine he’s saying the same thing to Ukraine, because each party has to give and take," said the U.S. leader.He also commented on the question of what concessions the Russian Federation agreed to during the negotiations."Russia's big concession is they stop fighting, and they don't take any more land," Trump stated.According to him, part of Ukrainian territory could still be taken by Russia over the next few months.At the same time, Trump added that he has no deadline for a settlement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation."The deadline for me is when it's over," said the head of the White House, noting that negotiations are also underway with Europe regarding security guarantees for Kyiv.U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.

Bloomberg reported the information.In a five-minute phone call on October 14, Witkoff told Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin's chief foreign policy adviser, that Russia should work with the U.S. on a peace framework similar to the 20-point plan that helped broker the Gaza agreement."We put a 20-point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace and I'm thinking maybe we do the same thing with you," Witkoff told Ushakov, according to a recording reviewed by the publication.The conversation offers unprecedented insight into the Trump administration's negotiation tactics with Moscow and appears to reveal the origins of the controversial 28-point peace proposal that emerged earlier this month. The U.S. has since pressured Ukraine to accept the plan as the foundation for ending the war.During the call, Witkoff coached Ushakov on how Putin should frame the issue when speaking with Trump. He suggested scheduling a Trump-Putin conversation before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's White House visit later that week and recommended Putin reference the Gaza deal as an opening."Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit, we're open to those sorts of things," Witkoff proposed.The Russian aide appeared receptive. Putin "will congratulate" Trump and will say "Mr Trump is a real peace man," Ushakov responded.Two days later, Putin and Trump held a two-and-a-half-hour call that the president described as "very productive." Putin congratulated Trump on the Gaza deal, just as Witkoff had suggested.When asked about Witkoff's approach, Trump defended it as standard dealmaking. "He's got to sell this to Ukraine. He's going to sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does," Trump told reporters Tuesday.Following the Trump-Putin call, Witkoff met with Kirill Dmitriev, another senior Kremlin adviser, in Miami for three days. In a subsequent October 29 phone conversation between Dmitriev and Ushakov, the two Russian officials debated how aggressively to push Moscow's demands in any peace proposal, according to another recording reviewed by Bloomberg.The resulting 28-point plan has placed Ukraine under intense pressure. Under terms initially proposed by the U.S., Ukraine would withdraw troops from parts of eastern Donbas that Russia has failed to capture militarily, creating a demilitarized buffer zone internationally recognized as Russian territory. Moscow would also gain de facto recognition of its claims to Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk.U.S. officials had threatened to cut critical intelligence support to Ukraine's military if Zelenskyy refused to accept the proposal, though Kyiv has since won some concessions following talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.Putin said this month he believed the U.S. plan could serve as the basis for a peace settlement. On Tuesday, Trump announced he was directing Witkoff to meet with Putin to finalize a deal, saying "there are only a few remaining points of disagreement."The recordings raise questions about the extent to which the Trump administration collaborated with the Kremlin in crafting a peace proposal that Ukraine and its European allies view as heavily favoring Russian interests.On Tuesday, November 25, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Russian and Ukrainian sides are very close to an agreement to end the war.

Clash Report wrote.During a speech at the White House, Donald Trump said that Russia and Ukraine are very close to an agreement to end the war. However, according to him, he expected it to happen sooner.He said in the last month, 25,000 soldiers have died in the war."So, I think we're getting very close to a deal; we'll find out. I thought that one would have been gone quicker. We did eight. I thought that would have been an easier one, but I think we're making progress in less than one year," he added.What preceded thisOn November 23, in Geneva, Switzerland, the Ukrainian and American delegations discussed the 28 points of the so-called Witkoff-Dmitriev peace plan, drawn up with the participation of the Kremlin.At the same time, Europe proposed its own 28 points for a plan to end Russia's war with Ukraine: the full text of the proposal has been published.On November 24, the spokesman for the Russian dictator, Dmitry Peskov, said that the Russian Federation had not received any information about the negotiations between Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S. in Geneva, and was also unaware of the new text for a war settlement based on the results of the meetings.Later, Trump expressed doubt about the possibility of achieving "great progress" in the Ukrainian-Russian negotiations.On November 24, the President's Office stated that the 28-point plan, in the form that everyone had seen, no longer exists.The next day, the head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, announced that Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to hold talks with President Trump "as soon as possible" to finalize the peace agreement. The meeting could take place on Thanksgiving, November 27.

At the same time, according to Stefanchuk, there are certain "red lines" for Ukraine that "no one has the right to cross—neither physically, nor legally, nor morally."I should remind you that at a meeting of U.S. and Ukrainian representatives in Geneva, the parties prepared an updated framework document for peace. They also agreed that any future agreement must fully respect Ukraine's sovereignty.The parties agreed to continue working on the proposals in the coming days. They also plan to maintain close contact with their European partners.In turn, European leaders stated that they disagree with the U.S. proposals regarding the division of territory. It is envisioned that Ukraine would completely cede strategically important areas, such as Donbas and Crimea, to Russia.However, the current situation around Crimea is not just about the military sphere. For the Kremlin, the peninsula is an ideological pillar, a tool of foreign policy, and an element of information dictatorship. The head of the Russian Federation is trying to go down in history as a "gatherer of lands" and create the image of a leader who "returned Crimea." That is why economic arguments have long ceased to be his main concern: the key is symbolism and control. I will note that for the Russian Federation, Crimea is, first and foremost, a military base on the Black Sea.In recent years, the occupying country has built dozens of defensive fortifications in annexed Crimea, turning the peninsula into "one of the most fortified" territories. Trenches tens of kilometers long have even been dug on the beaches of Crimea.The naval component of the Russian presence has significantly weakened—many ships of the Black Sea Fleet have been destroyed, and Russia's level of control at sea has fallen to a historic low. An assessment by British intelligence confirms: the fleet has almost lost its combat capability and strategic importance.However, the land component remains—an extensive infrastructure. In particular, military airfields. It is they that give Russia the ability to support the group of invading forces in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. "Crimea for the Russian Federation is also an instrument of permanent political presence and control over the Black Sea region, which allows Moscow to influence the security environment of Ukraine, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania."Crimea is also important for Turkey, which traditionally considers the Black Sea region its zone of influence. Ankara pursues a policy of "soft power" and sees Crimea as an element of its own historical and geopolitical presence.For Ukraine, before the occupation, Crimea was a factor of geopolitical weight. The port infrastructure, shipbuilding enterprises, and strategic facilities allowed Kyiv to be one of the key players in the Black Sea region. Today, the loss of Crimea means the loss of control over part of the sea area and limited access to strategic maritime communications. The invading country, in turn, after the occupation of Crimea, gained a military platform for the offensive on the south of Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, Crimea became the main military base for the Russian forces that launched a full-scale offensive. The enemy uses the peninsula as an important point for deploying its troops, including aviation, fleet, and artillery. In particular, the Russian Black Sea Fleet is based in Sevastopol, which makes it possible to control the Black Sea and influence shipping in the region.Crimea has also become an important transport hub for moving Russian military personnel and equipment. With the help of the Crimean bridge, which connects the peninsula with Russia, the enemy freely supplied weapons, ammunition, food, and other resources to its troops operating in the south of Ukraine, particularly in the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk regions.But it is worth noting that from a military point of view, liberating Crimea is easier than Donbas.According to the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, from a military perspective, retaking Crimea is much easier than Donbas, where the front is over 1,000 km long and over 200 km deep. "There are two entry points to Crimea – from the Russian side and from ours: the Crimean bridge and the land isthmus," he explained.In his opinion, the issue of retaking the peninsula involves our frontline operations: from the Russian side, by destroying communications, and from our side, by applying pressure. "And then that's it – Crimea is isolated," the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate is confident. The point is that the Russian armed forces located on the occupied peninsula are very dependent on logistics. And the logistics of the occupying army are the Chonhar isthmus and the Kerch bridge. That is, two components that are effectively under the fire control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.It is enough to cut Crimea off from logistics—and it becomes an island. The Russians will have colossal problems with electricity, water, and supplies, because it is worth recalling the corrupt programs of the Russian government on the territory of the occupied peninsula. The water desalination program, which cost the Russian budget about 48 billion rubles. It was officially recognized as a failure, but the budget money was spent. The second program is the so-called energy bridge, which was very expensive even for the Russian budget and showed all its inefficiency."However, the timing of the liberation of Crimea and other occupied territories is primarily related to the re-equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the receipt of the latest models of high-tech weapons. This is a direct correlation."As soon as there are enough means of destruction and, most importantly, a sufficient quantity of weapons whose tactical and technical characteristics surpass the Russian ones, then we can talk about planning operations for the de-occupation of the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.I must state that the Russian leadership understands diplomacy as one-sided concessions in their favor, particularly regarding the recognition of the occupation of Donbas and Crimea.In my conviction, compromises on Crimea are impossible. This is a red line not only for Ukraine but also for our partners.During a joint press conference with the Speaker of the Riksdag of the Kingdom of Sweden, Andreas Norlén, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, stressed that the war will end when Crimea is returned to Ukraine.It is noteworthy that following the talks in Geneva, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that certain changes would be made to the American "peace proposals."Specially for EspresoAbout the author. Dmytro Sniehyrov, military expert, co-chairman of the Prava Sprava public initiative.The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.

Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, stated this in an interview with Axios.He said that U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have reached consensus on most elements of a revised peace framework. However, the Ukrainian leader wants to personally negotiate the most contentious issue with Trump: how much territory Ukraine might have to concede to Moscow."I hope the visit of President Zelenskyy will take place as soon as possible, because it will help President Trump to continue his historical mission to end this war," Yermak said. He suggested that finalizing a joint U.S.-Ukrainian position would allow Trump to approach Russia with a unified front, telling Putin: "Look, this is confirmed and agreed, our position with the Ukrainians."A U.S. official confirmed discussions about a potential meeting this week or next, though no date has been set. Trump is scheduled to spend Thanksgiving at his Mar-a-Lago resort from Tuesday evening through Sunday, and Yermak indicated the holiday timing could carry symbolic weight.The negotiations have come a long way from the initial 28-point American proposal, which sparked fierce Ukrainian resistance by promising Russia more territory than it currently controls. That draft has since been dramatically overhauled into a 19-point plan that Yermak described as aligning with Ukraine's core interests.One significant breakthrough involves security guarantees from the United States and European allies. Yermak characterized the new language as "very solid" and said Ukraine expects these commitments to be legally binding, possibly through a formal treaty. The framework would reportedly obligate the U.S. and NATO to treat sustained Russian aggression against Ukraine as a threat to the entire transatlantic community.On NATO membership, Yermak acknowledged the reality that Ukraine won't join the alliance in the near term, though Kyiv won't abandon its constitutional commitment to eventual membership. "We are living in reality now. We are not in NATO," he said.The optimism represents a dramatic shift from just days ago, when Trump publicly pressured Zelenskyy to accept terms the Ukrainian president said would strip his country of its dignity. Yermak praised his American counterparts, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for working to craft a more acceptable agreement.But Russia has signaled potential resistance to the changes. Foreign Secretary Sergei Lavrov warned Tuesday that Moscow's response "will be fundamentally different" if the revised plan departs from understandings reached between Trump and Vladimir Putin.Yermak pointed to overnight Russian missile strikes on Kyiv as evidence that Moscow isn't yet committed to peace. Still, he expressed hope that once the U.S. and Ukraine finalize their joint position, Trump's engagement with Putin could bring the war to a close.The negotiations unfold amid a major corruption scandal roiling Zelenskyy's administration, with opposition figures calling for Yermak's resignation despite him not being directly implicated. Yermak defended the government's anti-corruption efforts and insisted his focus remains on ending the war.

Pavlo Lakiichuk, head of security programs at the Center for Global Studies Strategy XXI, stated this on Espreso TV."Not just one A-60, the destruction of two aircraft at the production sites of the Beriev enterprise has been confirmed. The first is the A-100, a long-range radar detection aircraft that was not completed. They were meant to replace the A-50s, which were well-damaged by our forces. The locator had not yet been installed there; it burned down. It is unique; in fact, there are only two such aircraft. The A-60, also based on the Il-76, are experimental aircraft for testing the laser weapons of the Russian Federation," he said.Pavlo Lakiichuk noted that the assembly shop of this plant was also hit. He considers this attack a very sensitive blow for Russia."So, in one go, they cut off this entire line for the Russian military-industrial complex, plus the assembly shop of the Beriev plant was hit. That is, this is a very sensitive blow for the occupying state. And the fact that the strike was carried out in a combined manner with our Neptunes, drones, and jet drones, adds another plus to our karma, as they say. These are very complex operations, in fact, to break through the enemy's air defense. It's extremely difficult, but our Defense Forces coped with it. This is a good foundation to continue in this direction," he added.In an effort to diminish Russia's military, economic, and offensive potential, the Ukrainian Defense Forces attacked a series of targets on the night of November 25.

1. No peace plan existsThe document that everyone perceived as the "U.S. plan" is actually a diplomatic non-paper—a working draft listing topics on which the parties are supposed to find compromises. It was not a plan, not an agreed-upon document, and was not meant to be leaked to the press.After the draft was leaked to the media, the U.S. administration agreed to treat it as a "plan," but it appears no one in the White House has read it: the American president stated directly that the U.S. does not insist on any of its points.It was clear that no one expected Ukraine to sign it. The document has so many flaws, errors, and poorly written formulations that it requires substantial rewriting. But to speed up the process, the draft was handed to Zelenskyy during a visit by American generals, and Trump and Rubio publicly declared: "this is our plan now, we are working with it."2. The initial positions align with the Kremlin's demands by about 85%The Americans are not hiding this: the more "pro-Ukrainian" the agreement becomes, the less chance Putin will sign it. The U.S. operates on the assumption that the war will not end without an agreement with Putin. After all, even a ceasefire along the front line without an agreement will not stop Russian strikes on cities. This would turn the war into an endless one—with obvious consequences for Ukraine and Europe."Therefore, the U.S. logic is simple: Ukraine must make the compromises, because otherwise, there will be no deal. What Russia will agree to—no one yet understands."3. What could compel Putin to sign an agreementThere are three main levers. First, concessions from the West. This explains the mentions in the draft about Russia's return to the G8, partial recognition of certain annexed Ukrainian territories as Russian, amnesty for war crimes, and the lifting of some sanctions.Second, economic pressure. U.S. sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as the discussion around Lindsey Graham's bill to make sanctions permanent, are a signal that Washington intends to increase pressure, not reduce it.Third, China. Without Chinese economic support, Russia cannot wage war. And for the first time during the war, China mentioned Ukraine as a separate point in the Foreign Ministry's press release after the conversation between Xi and Trump. Beijing supports "efforts to achieve peace" but insists that the agreement must eliminate "all root causes of the conflict"—a formula that everyone interprets in their own way. Previously, our country was only mentioned in passing.Whether this will yield results is an open question. But there is a sense that for Putin, this is one of the last opportunities to end the war on more or less acceptable terms for him. The U.S. is now entering an election cycle, and the chance for greater concessions may not come again."4. Will Putin sign the agreement? There is a possibility, but it is very low. Putin is convinced that he is winning the war, and victors are not stopped by peace agreements. They dictate the terms themselves. This has been the logic of all the Russian dictator's ultimatums in recent years."Negotiations on the revised version of the agreement are ongoing, but its current contents are unknown. Lower-ranking Russian officials who received the edited version today have already called it non-viable. The Kremlin's official statements will likely be similar. All of this suggests that the chances of ending the war with this agreement are not very high.Apparently, our government understands this as well, which is why Zelenskyy says that Ukraine's task in this process is to "preserve a key ally." That is, to calmly and technically work through the text. Then, the U.S. will pass it to Moscow—and there, with a very high probability, it will die.SourceAbout the author. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Ukrainian lawmaker.The editorial board does not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of blogs or columns.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reported the information, citing the commander of the 19th Army Corps, Brigadier General Oleksandr Bakulin, who is currently in the city.According to him, Russian generals have reported to dictator Vladimir Putin that they have already begun to clear the center of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region."No one is clearing the center of Kostiantynivka. Yes, it is destroyed, yes, there is a war, but it is ours," stated Bakulin.As the Center for Countering Disinformation emphasized, Russian propagandists are spreading such lies to demoralize the Ukrainian military. On November 17, the Center for Countering Disinformation reported a new wave of fake videos, where AI-generated Ukrainian soldiers supposedly talk about a critical situation at the front and negligent command.