WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch Trump's Peace Plan for Ukraine and Russia Is a Moving Target
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Nov 25, 2025 Join Kate O'Dell and Jillian Melcher, both editorial board members at The Wall Street Journal, as they dive into the evolving peace plan for Ukraine. They discuss Ukraine's willingness to concede territory in exchange for security guarantees and how the backlash to a 28-point proposal has shifted the conversation. Kate reveals Russia's hardline stance, while Jillian emphasizes the implications of slow advances in the conflict. The duo also explores the impact of U.S. support amidst scandals and Ukraine's progress on anti-corruption reforms.
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Ukraine Ready To Trade Territory For Guarantees
- Ukraine is willing to make painful territorial concessions to secure reliable U.S. security guarantees.
- Any deal that trades territory must be paired with meaningful, enforceable guarantees and strong armaments for Ukraine.
28-Point Plan Lacked Bite
- The original 28-point plan resembled a Russian wish list and lacked enforceable security details.
- Ukrainians worry these vague guarantees could repeat the Budapest memorandum's failures unless tied to hard defenses.
Putin's Maximalist Strategic Goal
- Vladimir Putin seeks to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and to transform it into a vassal state.
- Rewarding that maximalism would embolden Russia and pose strategic risks to NATO and U.S. interests.