By Newspot Nigeria Global Desk
President Donald Trump appeared to soften his hard deadline for Ukraine to accept his proposed peace plan after a crucial phone call on Saturday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The development marks a notable shift in tone from Washington, coming just days after Trump gave President Volodymyr Zelensky until next Thursday to agree to the terms.
Although neither side disclosed the full details of the conversation, UK officials described the call as “good and constructive.” Starmer also spoke with Zelensky earlier in the day, reaffirming Britain’s support for Ukraine and urging caution over any settlement perceived as favoring Moscow.
Trump had previously insisted that Ukraine accept a proposal requiring the country to surrender significant territory, slash its military capacity, and conduct national elections within 100 days. But speaking to reporters after the call, he indicated a willingness to revisit the terms.
“This is not my final offer,” Trump said. “We’d like to get to peace. It should’ve happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened. If I were president, it never would have happened.”
Pressed on what would happen if Ukraine rejected the proposal, Trump responded sharply: “Then he can continue to fight his little heart out.”
EU Leaders Push Back, Say Plan Needs Major Adjustments
European governments have expressed strong reservations about the draft deal, which was developed with input from Moscow but not Kyiv. A joint statement released after the G20 meeting on Saturday—signed by Germany, France, Britain, Japan, Canada and the European Union—acknowledged that the proposal contained “important elements” but emphasized that “additional work” is needed before it could form the basis of a lasting peace.
French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that the obstacle is not Washington, but Moscow. He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of repeatedly refusing to agree to ceasefires and acting in bad faith during past negotiations.
Putin, however, welcomed Trump’s plan on Friday as “the basis for a final peace settlement,” though he admitted that Russia had not engaged in “substantive” discussions about the text. He also noted that Ukraine and its European allies “remain under illusions” about defeating Russia militarily.
A Deal Favouring Moscow?
The plan, crafted jointly by Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff, has drawn criticism across Europe because it grants Russia long-term control over several Ukrainian regions.
Under the draft terms:
- Russia would retain Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk.
- Ukraine would surrender additional territory in eastern Donetsk not currently occupied by Russian forces.
- The conflict line would be frozen along the borders of Kherson and Zaporizhia, enabling Russia to secure Mariupol and maintain a land bridge to Crimea.
- Ukraine would be permanently barred from joining NATO.
For Kyiv, these provisions would represent the largest territorial loss since independence. Zelensky has repeated that Ukraine “will not give up land,” but acknowledged the immense pressure facing his country.
“Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice,” he said in a recorded message. “Either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner.”
Still, he pledged to work “calmly” with the US and other allies as talks continue.
An End to the War Unlikely Next Week
Trump’s openness to further negotiations effectively removes the deadline he had set for Zelensky. It also signals that the path to any agreement will be longer and more complex than initially suggested. With European leaders insisting on revisions and Ukraine rejecting territorial concessions, a swift end to the war appears unlikely.
Nevertheless, Trump insisted that peace remains his priority: “One way or the other, we have to get it ended.”
— Newspot Nigeria
