President Trump pushes to end the war between Russia and Ukraine
WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA) - New hopes and fresh tensions as President Donald Trump presses for an end to Russia's war on Ukraine.
Amid high-stakes peace talks between the U.S. and Ukraine Sunday, President Trump publicly accused Ukrainian leadership of showing "zero gratitude" for U.S. support.
It comes as his administration is pressing Ukraine to accept a 28-point peace plan by Thanksgiving, despite growing concerns over whose interests it serves.
In Ukraine, a difficult winter is closing in, and with Russian strikes only increasing, both sides are now targeting the other's heat and power grids.
"We've had probably the most productive and meaningful meeting so far," said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
As the U.S. works to broker a truce by Thanksgiving, Trump injecting new tensions in a post accusing Ukraine's leadership of expressing zero gratitude for his administration's efforts just as high-level U.S. and Ukraine delegations met in Geneva, with the Ukrainians voicing thanks.
"We have very good progress, and we are moving forward to the just and lasting peace," said Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
In a joint statement, the U.S. and Ukraine saying they had updated and refined the peace framework Trump has been pressing for despite its raising alarm among Ukrainian and European leadership, and bipartisan lawmakers, for favoring Russia.
Some even questioning whether it's a U.S. or a Russian proposal.
"What the President has put out here is a plan that is very favorable to Russia," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
Secretary Rubio clarifying the U.S. did author the initial 28-point peace plan that runs counter to several top Ukrainian priorities, calling for Ukraine to give up 1/5 of its territory, including portions Russia does not occupy, shrinking the Ukrainian military by about a third, and blocking its path to join NATO.
However, Trump saying there's room to negotiate.
European allies arev pushing to strengthen the terms for Ukraine and weaken the risk of further Russian aggression.
In a new statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to Trump.
He previously said the peace proposal was forcing Ukraine to choose between losing its dignity or a key partner.
