The new “28-point peace plan” for the settlement of the Ukraine-Russia war has appeared on the agenda quite unexpectedly and has already received contradictory evaluations. According to the Financial Times, US President Donald Trump would like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign this “peace” plan by Thanksgiving, which the US will celebrate on November 27. Then Putin could sign it too, and the war would be over by Christmas. A wonderful fairy tale. No less touching than the famous Christmas movie with the participation of Trump “Home Alone”.
What is the probability that this scenario could come true? Although events are developing and the situation is changing rapidly, one thing is clear: the version in which this 28-point plan has been published in the media is unacceptable. It will not be accepted as such, because it is nothing but a capitulation plan for Ukraine. It has already been essentially rejected by the European leaders – Friedrich Mertz, Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer – in a joint statement.
The current wording of the plan provides that the aggressor not only does not receive any punishment, but becomes the main winner of this war. Such a plan destroys the European security system, rule of law and democracy, making international law an empty sound, paving the way for new wars, annexations, occupations and other injustices.
Therefore, the question is different: is this “peace” plan just another weapon of the information war, which will be forgotten in a week, or can it be taken as a basis for a real path to some serious negotiations, which could lead to the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine in the foreseeable future.
In order to answer this question, it is necessary to take into account the entire “scene”, because it is the context in which these efforts to continue or, on the contrary, to stop the hostilities in Ukraine take place, determine the actions, statements, responses, and motivation of political figures. Almost everything.
A revolutionary sits in the White House
What do we see? In the world’s strongest country, economically, militarily, and in all other respects – the USA – Donald Trump has become the president with almost unlimited power. To say he is a special character is an understatement. He is nothing more and nothing less than a blockbuster of the current world order. That is, a pronounced revolutionary. Such a modern-day Lenin, Hitler and Mao in one person.
Trump excites some, drives others to despair, but the facts are undeniable – at least in the last hundred years, there has not been such an unusual character in charge of the White House. Even the same Trump in the first term of the presidency is definitely not the same Trump as he is now.
This is reflected in the events in Europe and the Russia-Ukraine war, in that this 28-point “peace plan”, as already mentioned, completely lacks even the smallest reference to the norms of international law, to the Helsinki Agreement on the immutability of borders, to any principles of justice and morality. This “peace plan” corresponds to 19th century ideas about international relations. The conflicting parties fight until one side asks for a ceasefire, and then the other side dictates the terms by which it is prepared to cease fire.
In this particular case, neither warring party is asking the other for peace. A third party tries to impose this “peace” on the parties. Or rather, one particular person – Donald Trump. It doesn’t even matter why he wants it so badly. Or because he wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize, or because he wants to fulfill a pre-election promise, or simply wants to wear the toga of a peacemaker.
The fact is that Trump really wants to make peace. No matter how and no matter what terms. It should be noted (and this is not unimportant) that Trump’s many supporters around the world also want the same thing, because this war both hinders the continuation of the anti-elitist, anti-liberal revolution in the USA and elsewhere in the world, and dispels the aura of Trump’s divine power (he can do everything).
Trump acts according to his traditional formula: a strong “attack” here on one side, then on the other, with the aim of forcing the parties to sit down at the negotiating table. So far, this pressure has mostly been directed against Zelensky, so Putin can still believe that he, as the privileged party, can continue the policy of intransigence and avoid negotiations, disclaiming that Zelensky is already avoiding them.
On Thursday afternoon, many were confused by Zelensky’s unexpected readiness to discuss this “peace” plan, because until then there were strong negative reviews of this plan in the political field of Ukraine. Zelensky’s distinctly permissive rhetoric is easily explained.
There is no doubt that Trump/Putin’s proposals are not acceptable to Ukraine (also Europe and Latvia), but since Zelensky and other European leaders have patched things up – with people like Trump – only for the better, then Zelensky behaves accordingly. He agrees to everything, nods his head, says: well, that’s right… but he’s not going to sign anything. Participating in these ritual activities, Zelensky demonstrates to the owner of the White House that he is already in favor, but Putin is messing up the “big deal”. It is not difficult for Zelensky to play such a role, because Putin’s plans do not include concessions. Like ending the war.
So who is against peace?
So Trump truly and genuinely wants peace. True, no matter what terms. Zelensky also wants peace, but not on the terms of capitulation. Territorial division along the existing front line and with little meaningful peace guarantees that the attacks will not resume at any moment. But what does the main demiurge of war – Putin – want? As long as his privileged status (beloved wife) remains in the eyes of Trump, the fate of war/peace depends on Putin alone.
If there are any disagreements among politicians, observers and commentators, it is precisely about Putin’s motivation. Trump, Vice President J. D. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and others put their heads on Putin’s torso and reason: it is more profitable to trade, to become fabulously rich themselves, and to make their country prosperous and prosperous. Therefore, a favorable deal must be concluded and this pointless bloodshed, which does nothing, be ended as soon as possible. This is the logic behind the entire operation of the Trump administration.
Those who know Putin better, know the history of Russia and the mentality of its people, sense that the goal of Putin’s war is not some territory in the Ukrainian steppes. Putin is not interested in joint Arctic projects with Witkoff and Trump, no matter how many billions or trillions they promise. He already owns all of Russia with its inhabitants.
Putin is absolutely unconcerned about the well-being of the Russian people, just as a chess player is unconcerned about the feelings of a wooden piece when it is sacrificed and removed from the board. Putin is only concerned about the war itself. As he candidly expressed on December 19, 2024 on the annual TV “Live Line”: “When everything is calm in Russia, we get bored and want some kind of sharper movement (dvizhuhin Russian).” For Putin, war is an exciting game (dvizhuh) that gives him strength, energy and joy of life. A game to win.
In an interview with the German publication “multipolar-magazin.de”, the well-known political scientist Sergey Karaganov, adviser to the Russian presidential administration, formulated the purpose of this game: “Russia needs absolutely nothing from the West. We are not interested in the square meter of its territory, nor what its resources are. We demand and want only one thing: that the West collapse.”
The West, of course, also means the United States. Unfortunately, Trump has so far refused to look at the world through Putin’s eyes, or rather, he doesn’t know how to look at anything through other people’s eyes at all. Since he does not trust any “experts”, it means that the contradictions will continue to escalate, as always happens when the parties do not understand each other and do not even try to understand each other.
So, the question posed at the beginning must be answered: everything shows that the main task of this “peace plan” is to create some kind of imitation of a movement towards peace, so that under its guise everyone does what they really want.
Meanwhile, the criminal war will continue, but all sides, including the Trump administration, will be able to wash their hands of innocence by saying: but we already tried. We did as much as we could. With words.
