The Monocle Daily Ukraine and the EU finalise a fresh peace plan to present to Trump
Dec 9, 2025
Terry Stiasny, a political journalist and author, shares insights on Ukraine's revised peace plan to present to the U.S., exploring potential receptions from Trump and Putin. Simon Brook, a seasoned journalist, discusses the motivations behind the 28-point plan and the complexities facing European countries if the U.S. withdraws. In a riveting interview, Noah Oppenheim, screenwriter of A House of Dynamite, reveals the challenging research on nuclear decision-making, cautioning against complacency in public discussions about nuclear threats.
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Ukraine's Plan Rejects Territorial Concessions
- Europe and Ukraine are pushing a peace plan that rules out legal or moral surrender of Ukrainian territory.
- The plan faces rejection because neither Vladimir Putin nor Donald Trump appear likely to accept such terms.
Protracted War Serves Putin's Interests
- The US 28-point plan looked designed to fail because it reflected Russian demands relayed via Trump's envoys.
- Vladimir Putin benefits from prolonging war since he has invested people and money and created a war economy.
Fudges Exist But Require Risky Guarantees
- Creative compromises like demilitarized zones or peacekeeping could bridge the territorial impasse.
- Europe hesitates because it is unwilling to commit troops or fail to guarantee Ukraine against future Russian overreach.
