US Senators Unite Against Trump's Ukraine Peace Plan, Warning of Russian Reward

U.S. senators critical of President Donald Trump's approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war said Saturday that the peace plan he is pushing Kyiv to accept would only reward Moscow for its aggression and send a message to other leaders who have threatened their neighbors. The 28-point peace plan was crafted by the Trump administration and the Kremlin without Ukraine's involvement, acquiescing to many Russian demands that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. Trump says he wants Ukraine to accept the plan by late next week. At an international security conference in Canada, a group of senators, including a Democrat, an Independent, and a Republican who does not plan to seek reelection next year, expressed their opposition to the plan. Independent Maine Sen. Angus King stated, "It rewards aggression. This is pure and simple. There's no ethical, legal, moral, political justification for Russia claiming eastern Ukraine." King's comments were echoed by other senators, who emphasized that the plan would undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and embolden other nations to pursue similar aggressive tactics. The peace plan has been met with widespread criticism from U.S. lawmakers, including some Republicans, who have expressed concerns that it would compromise Ukraine's territorial integrity and undermine its ability to defend itself against Russian aggression. Despite this opposition, the plan remains a key component of Trump's diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and began supporting separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. The situation has escalated in recent years, with both sides suffering significant losses and the international community imposing economic sanctions on Russia in an effort to pressure it to withdraw its troops. The opposition to the peace plan from U.S. senators highlights the complexities and challenges of resolving the conflict in Ukraine. While Trump's administration has emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution, many lawmakers are concerned that the plan would compromise Ukraine's sovereignty and undermine its ability to defend itself against Russian aggression. As the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the peace plan will be accepted by Ukraine or whether alternative solutions will be pursued. The international community is watching the situation closely, and any developments will have significant implications for the region and the global balance of power.