‘Not My Last Offer,’ Says Donald Trump on Ukraine; Europe and Kyiv Push Back

Washington: US President Donald Trump has once again made his stance clear on the Ukraine war. He said that the peace proposal prepared for Ukraine is not the “final offer” and there is scope for change. According to Trump, if Ukraine does not agree to this plan, it will have no choice but to “keep fighting.” His statement has sparked a new debate in the strategic circles of Europe and America.

What does Trump want to say about this peace proposal?

Trump claims that his aim is to end the war as soon as possible, but he indicated that for this Ukraine may have to take some tough decisions. It is not clear from Trump's statement what changes he wants to make in the proposal, but his tone definitely shows that he is increasing the pressure on Ukraine for an agreement. He says that America and Europe cannot bear the burden of this war for a long time; hence, a peace agreement is the only way.

What is Ukraine's reaction?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his displeasure over this proposal. He says that peace must be achieved at some cost, but not a peace that is against Ukraine's sovereignty and independence. Zelensky clearly said that any peace plan will be acceptable only if it includes guarantees of their security, borders, and future. He also expressed sorrow over Trump's statement in which he said that Ukraine should "keep fighting" if it wants.

How is Europe viewing this proposal?

The attitude of European countries has been quite cautious so far. Countries like France, Germany, and Britain have raised many questions on this proposal. He says that Ukraine's opinion should be most important in any agreement. Europe argues that if Ukraine is forced into a compromise, it could further weaken Europe's security in the future. Many leaders have also expressed concern that this proposal might promote Russia's interests too much.

What's going to happen next?

Soon representatives of America, Ukraine, and European countries are going to formally discuss this proposal in Geneva. It is believed that Ukraine will raise its objections, and European countries will also press for major changes in the proposal. Trump may not have called this a final resolution, but his statements indicate he wants a quick resolution—even if that means Ukraine has to step back.