Today, Explained Can Rubio end the Ukraine war?
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Dec 2, 2025 
John Hudson, a national security reporter for The Washington Post, and Luke Harding, an investigative journalist for The Guardian, dive into the complexities of the Trump administration's peace plan for Ukraine. They discuss Marco Rubio's controversial new role and how he's trying to reshape the leaked 28-point plan. Hudson raises concerns about its acceptance by Ukraine, while Harding argues that the plan resembles a Kremlin surrender document. They explore the underlying business interests driving negotiations and question Russian sincerity, highlighting fundamental unresolved issues.
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Rubio Recalibrated The Original Plan
- Marco Rubio shifted the original 28-point plan to be more favorable to Ukraine after meeting their delegation.
- He removed NATO-ban language and some military restrictions that had alarmed critics.
Rubio's Old-School Hawkism Remains
- Rubio is portrayed as a traditional Republican hawk who is suspicious of Russia and supportive of allies like Ukraine.
- In this role he has moderated his instincts to align pragmatically with the administration's goals.
Leak Undermined Credibility Of Negotiations
- A confusing leak made the 28-point plan look like a Russian wish list and damaged confidence in the process.
- Rubio denied calling it a Russian draft and the episode highlighted chaotic coordination among envoys.