Americanswers… on 5 Live! What’s really going on with Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine?

16 snips

Nov 24, 2025

Trump hinted at a potential peace plan for Ukraine, but critics argue it favors Russia. Tensions rise as Marjorie Taylor Greene announces her resignation, possibly signaling shifts within the MAGA movement. The hosts discuss Trump's recent, warm meeting with New York's mayor-elect, raising questions about their political alliance. They also dissect Trump's controversial comments about Democrats and explore his motives behind the peace negotiations, suggesting a mix of legacy and profit-driven interests.

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INSIGHT

Mixed Motives Behind Trump’s Ukraine Push

Donald Trump likely wants a legacy and profits alongside ending the killing in Ukraine.
Sarah Smith says humanitarian concerns are real but secondary to legacy and financial motives.

INSIGHT

Plan Favors Russia With Weak Guarantees

Anthony Zurcher notes the 28-point plan largely reflects Russian aims with vague US guarantees.
He warns those guarantees depend on Trump's word and past Russian breaches make them risky for Ukraine.

INSIGHT

Trump Hops Between Factions Online

Trump alternates between anti-war MAGA messaging and pro-Russian posture to court different Republican factions.
Marianna Spring shows he tests positions on Truth Social and gauges base reaction before adjusting.

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Donald Trump has posted on social media that ‘something good just may be happening’ when it comes to negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine, after overnight talks in Geneva.

European leaders criticised a 28-point US peace plan when it emerged last week, saying it was too favourable to Russia. A new plan has been promised, but President Zelensky has played down Trump’s hopes of progress.

Sarah, Anthony and Marianna join Matt Chorley on 5 Live to answer your questions. We look at who’s actually involved in putting the plan together? And what does Donald Trump stand to gain from the proposed deal?

Plus, the MAGA icon and Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will resign from Congress following her bitter feud with the president last week. Could we start to see power shifts within the MAGA movement following her departure? And why did Trump say the behaviour of some Democrats was “punishable by death”?

Plus, what happened when the mayor-elect of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, met Donald Trump in the White House on Friday? Clips of the meeting quickly went viral, with users commenting on the warmth between the two leaders. Is this the start of a fruitful friendship between Trump and Mamdani - or is it all just for show?

HOSTS:

- Sarah Smith, North America Editor - Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent - Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations correspondent

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- Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB - Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 - Email Americast@bbc.co.uk - Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Rufus Gray with Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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