American peace plan envisages a demilitarized zone in Donbas and Ukraine's refusal to join NATO

According to American officials, Donald Trump is not seeking Ukraine's surrender, but may have fallen victim to a Russian information special operation.

The publication's interlocutors claim that Trump's main focus is now on the US congressional midterm elections, which will take place on November 3. On the eve of the vote, polls show record low ratings for the Republican Party and the president himself. According to The Economist's sources, Trump is under intense pressure and sees Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as responsible for the problems that have arisen.

American officials also criticize Trump's special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who are negotiating with Moscow. In their opinion, the envoys misjudge Russian President Vladimir Putin's motives and therefore may succumb to Russian manipulations. The situation, according to the publication's interlocutors, is also influenced by Elon Musk, whose attitude towards Ukraine they describe as complex.

The White House believes that Kyiv does not object to the main provisions of the new American plan. In addition to creating a demilitarized zone in Donbas, it envisages easing sanctions against Russia and a number of economic agreements, including the resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe.

In return, Ukraine should receive an investment package and the prospect of EU membership, while refusing to join NATO. However, Kyiv doubts that Moscow is truly ready for peace and suggests that the Russian side may drag out negotiations.

American officials emphasize that Trump does not aim to force Ukraine to capitulate. At the same time, they admit that relations between Washington and Kyiv are becoming increasingly strained.

After an agreement with Putin on diesel fuel supplies on October 9, Trump intensified pressure on Ukraine. He accused the Ukrainian side of prolonging the war, called for an end to strikes on Russian oil refineries, and even suggested that Ukrainians choose a new head of state.

Tension also increased after Ukrainian military personnel began to experience disruptions in Starlink satellite communications from October 14. Elon Musk and the White House did not take responsibility for these disruptions.

On October 20, special envoys Kushner and Witkoff agreed on the main details of the new peace plan with Zelenskyy in Oslo, after which they were to transmit the proposals to Moscow. On October 22, Trump stated that the US had approached a peace agreement on Ukraine for the first time in a long while.

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