Firefighters put out a blaze after a drone hit a multistory residential building during Russia’s night drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.
President Donald Trump has intensified his push to end the Ukraine war, revealing that his peace plan has been “fine-tuned” and is now moving into a new phase. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Tuesday evening, Trump confirmed he is dispatching Steve Witkoff to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will visit Ukrainian officials for parallel talks.
Trump hinted that he may personally meet both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once meaningful progress is made. He emphasized the complexity of ending the war, calling his earlier 28-point proposal “a concept” rather than a completed plan.
Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan Sparks Global Debate
The emerging Ukraine peace plan has drawn intense scrutiny. The proposal heavily favors Russia, triggering swift diplomatic engagement from Zelenskyy and raising alarm across Europe. Many European leaders feared they were sidelined while Trump drafted a plan that could reshape the geopolitical landscape.
Despite concerns, Trump said his envoys are making headway. He believes both sides will eventually recognize the proposal as “a good deal.” He also downplayed the controversial requirement for Ukraine to cede territory, arguing that Russia is already capturing land in Donbas and may soon control the region regardless of negotiations.
Territorial Concessions at the Heart of the Plan
At the core of Trump’s Ukraine peace plan is a call for Kyiv to relinquish the entire Donbas region, even though large areas remain under Ukrainian control. Experts at the Institute for the Study of War estimate that Russia would need several more years to fully occupy the region.
Analysts say this element of the proposal is fueling friction among Ukraine, its Western allies, and Washington.
Talks Continue Despite Escalating Attacks
While the negotiations were underway, Russia launched a barrage of overnight strikes on Kyiv, killing at least seven people and damaging civilian buildings and energy infrastructure. In response, Ukraine attacked southern Russia, killing three people and destroying homes.
Lt. Col. Jeff Tolbert confirmed that Driscoll’s talks with Russian officials in the UAE were “going well,” even as violence escalated on both sides.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg published a transcript of an October call in which Witkoff allegedly coached Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov on how to communicate with Trump. Trump dismissed the report as “standard negotiation.”
However, Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican critical of Trump’s Ukraine stance, said Witkoff’s conduct showed favoritism toward Moscow and urged his removal from the negotiations.
European Allies Push to Influence the Peace Process
Global leaders say the Ukraine peace plan discussions are reaching a pivotal moment. French President Emmanuel Macron said peace efforts have entered “a crucial juncture,” while a virtual meeting of European partners suggested momentum is building.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed cautious optimism, noting that Ukraine appears open to accepting “a majority of the text.”
But Ukrainian delegate Oleksandr Bevz urged restraint, insisting it is “very premature” to claim any agreement is close. He confirmed that the number of proposal points has been reduced but stressed that revisions continue. Security guarantees remain Ukraine’s top priority.
Zelenskyy and Trump Prepare for Direct Engagement
Zelenskyy said Monday the steps needed to end the war are becoming workable. His adviser Rustem Umerov announced that Ukraine hopes to finalize a deal with Trump during a planned meeting in November.
Russian officials remain cautious. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is waiting for Washington to deliver an updated interim version of the peace document that reflects European and Ukrainian input.
New Wave of Destruction in Kyiv
As diplomacy continues, Ukraine endured another devastating night. Russian forces launched 22 missiles and more than 460 drones, hitting residential buildings and knocking out essential utilities. Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said at least 20 people were injured.
Residents described terrifying scenes. Ninety-year-old Liubov Petrivna said her apartment was shattered and “glass rained down” as a fire consumed her building. She voiced deep skepticism about the peace plan, insisting Putin “won’t stop until he finishes us off.”
Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russia
Ukraine responded with one of its largest drone attacks of the war, striking targets across Russia’s Krasnodar region. Russian officials said 249 drones were shot down, but Ukrainian forces reported successful hits on an aviation repair plant, drone production facility, refinery, and oil terminal.
It marked the fourth-largest Ukrainian drone operation since the conflict began in 2022, underscoring the growing intensity on both fronts even as the Ukraine peace plan advances.
