Ukraine’s fate lies in the hands of the United States and Trump’s ‘peace plan’, presented on 19 November. Largely favourable to Russia’s interests, the text mentioned the cession of the occupied territories in Donbass and the liquidation of Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. This prompted a reaction from Ukraine and European countries, which convened an emergency summit in Geneva on Sunday 23 November. Kiev’s European allies and the American delegation managed to amend 9 of the 28 points of the agreement, which were considered far too unfavourable to Ukraine. The American agency Bloomberg revealed this week that discussions had taken place between Russian and American diplomats, including Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, proving that the plan had been drafted based on Russian positions.

The same Steve Witkoff is expected to defend the new version of the peace plan in Moscow next week, and the Kremlin says it is ‘ready to negotiate’ while strongly criticising the European amendments. With Russia having the upper hand both on the front lines and in the talks, there is little hope for a quick and fair peace for Ukraine after almost four years of war.