In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump cast doubt on Ukraine’s hopes for a peace summit aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia. During an interview on November 7, 2023, Andriy Yermak, chief advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed optimism about a proposed 19-point plan to end the war. However, Trump’s simultaneous announcement on his Truth Social platform shifted the narrative abruptly.
Trump revealed that he was sending Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet with Ukrainian officials and Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow to facilitate negotiations. This move effectively delayed Trump’s previous target of achieving a peace agreement by Thanksgiving. Yermak, who had just outlined the significance of the proposed plan, appeared visibly disheartened upon reading Trump’s post.
Yermak’s Reaction and the Proposal’s Importance
During the interview, Yermak had articulated his hope that the 19-point proposal, developed through discussions between Washington and Kyiv officials, would be adopted as a joint peace initiative by the United States by the end of the week. He envisioned a signing ceremony involving both Trump and Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago during the Thanksgiving holiday. “Every day brings increased risks of Russian missile strikes and civilian casualties,” Yermak emphasized, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
“I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages,” Trump stated.
After absorbing the implications of Trump’s announcement, Yermak requested a follow-up conversation in 24 hours to reassess the situation. He described the need to understand the positions that Driscoll and Witkoff would present during their meetings.
Challenges Ahead and U.S. Leverage
Yermak expressed concerns regarding the necessity of Russian agreement to move forward with peace talks. “I am sure that the United States has many options to press Russia,” he noted, referring to potential sanctions and broader international influence. He maintained that Trump possesses unique leverage to negotiate an end to the conflict, stating, “I’m still sure that one leader in the world who can end this war… it’s President Trump.”
The 19-point proposal, while promising, remains far from finalized, with several sensitive issues yet to be resolved. Yermak reiterated that the success of the peace initiative hinges on direct discussions between Trump and Zelensky, which he hoped could occur imminently.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, aware that each passing day carries immense consequences for those affected by the conflict. Both leaders face the challenge of navigating this complex geopolitical landscape, with the stakes higher than ever.
