U.S. Senators Condemn Trump's Russia-Ukraine Peace Plan as Rewarding Aggression

U.S. senators have strongly criticized President Trump's proposed Russia-Ukraine peace plan, arguing it would unjustly reward Moscow's aggression. The controversial 28-point proposal, which has been welcomed by Russia, calls for significant concessions from Ukraine, according to reports from Global News on November 21, 2025.

The plan, reportedly drafted by Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, demands Ukraine make "tough choices" regarding territory and security guarantees. Sky News reported on November 22 that the draft appears "emphatically favourable to Russia," closely resembling Moscow's long-standing demands.

Independent Maine Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated that the plan "rewards aggression," calling it one of the most serious geopolitical mistakes of his lifetime, as reported by the Associated Press on November 22.

Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly welcomed the proposal, suggesting it "could form the basis of a final peace settlement," according to The Guardian on November 22. However, some Russian officials have dismissed it as a "provocation," as UNITED24 Media reported on November 22.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not outright rejected the plan but emphasized the need for fair treatment and dignity. He stated that Ukraine faces "one of the most difficult moments" in its history, facing a choice between dignity and losing a key partner, The Guardian noted on November 21.

The White House is reportedly pressuring Ukraine to accept the deal by Thanksgiving, November 27, or risk losing U.S. support, according to The Washington Post on November 22. This deadline has intensified the debate surrounding the plan's implications for Ukraine's sovereignty and international law.

European leaders, meeting at the G20 summit, acknowledged the plan includes "important elements" but requires "additional work," CBS News reported on November 22. They stressed that peace cannot be achieved over the heads of affected countries, as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated.

• Background and Context of the Conflict: The proposed peace plan emerges nearly four years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The conflict has resulted in widespread destruction, millions displaced, and significant loss of life. Previous peace talks, such as those in Istanbul in March 2022, faltered over disagreements on key issues like NATO membership and territorial integrity, as detailed by Wikipedia.

• Key Provisions of the 28-Point Plan: The comprehensive plan, obtained by the Associated Press on November 21, includes Ukraine ceding territory, specifically the entirety of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk, and freezing Kherson and Zaporizhzhia along current conflict lines. It also mandates Ukraine enshrine in its constitution that it will not join NATO and significantly reduce its military size to 600,000 personnel.

• U.S. Senators' Strong Opposition: Several U.S. senators, including Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Thom Tillis, expressed "significant concerns" over the plan, stating it would reward Russia's aggression. Senator Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called it an "outrage" and a "Putin plan," according to the Las Vegas Sun on November 22.

• Russia's Mixed Signals and Strategic Interests: While President Putin welcomed the plan as a potential basis for settlement, some Russian officials, like Alexei Zhuravlyov of the State Duma, dismissed it as a "provocation," insisting only a full military victory is acceptable, UNITED24 Media reported on November 22. Analysts from Chatham House, as cited by The Guardian on November 22, suggest the plan largely reflects Kremlin goals, aiming to secure concessions Russia failed to achieve militarily.

• Ukraine's Dilemma and Diplomatic Efforts: President Zelenskyy acknowledged the immense pressure on Ukraine, stating his country faces an "impossible choice" between losing dignity or a key partner, as reported by The Guardian on November 21. Ukrainian envoys, including Rustem Umerov, are set to meet with U.S. and European officials in Geneva to discuss the proposal and present alternatives, TVP World confirmed on November 22.

• International and European Reactions: European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have expressed reservations, emphasizing that any peace agreement must respect Ukraine's sovereignty. They were not involved in the drafting of the plan, which some European officials view as a "capitulation," according to sky News on November 21.

• Economic and Security Implications: The plan proposes investing $100 billion in frozen Russian assets into Ukraine's reconstruction, with the U.S. leading the effort and Europe contributing an additional $100 billion. It also includes a U.S. security guarantee against future Russian attacks, promising a "decisive coordinated military response" and reinstatement of sanctions, as detailed by CBS News on November 22.

• Potential Future Developments: The upcoming talks in Geneva are crucial for shaping the future of this peace initiative. While President Trump indicated the current plan is not his "final offer," the pressure on Ukraine to accept by Thanksgiving remains significant, according to Reuters on November 22. The outcome will heavily influence the trajectory of the conflict and the geopolitical landscape.