Up First from NPR Ukraine Peace Negotiations, Trump's Ukraine Motivations, Holiday Travel
116 snips
Nov 26, 2025 
This time, Eleanor Beardsley, NPR's correspondent in Kyiv, shares insights from leaked transcripts revealing President Trump's controversial 28-point peace plan. She discusses the implications of U.S. negotiations with Russian aides. Franco Ordonez dives into Trump's motivations behind the deal, exploring legacy and humanitarian concerns. Meanwhile, Joel Rose gives a heads-up on Thanksgiving travel, highlighting expectations for record crowds and FAA readiness. The blend of politics and holiday travel creates a fascinating dialogue.
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Leaks Suggest Russia Shaped The Plan
- A leaked transcript suggests Steve Witkoff urged Russian officials to shape a U.S. peace plan that favored Russia.
- Bloomberg's reporting implies parts of the 28-point proposal may have originated from Russian advisers, not only the U.S.
Pre-Visit Call Altered Military Options
- The mid-October call had Witkoff urge Yuri Ushakov to get Putin to praise Trump and call before Zelensky's White House visit.
- That Putin call reportedly scuttled hopes for Tomahawk missiles to be part of the visit's outcomes.
Deal-Getting Trumps Deal Content
- The Trump team has been oscillating between Russia-friendly and Ukraine-friendly drafts as talks progress.
- Franco Ordonez and analysts say Trump's priority is securing any deal that stops the fighting, sometimes over its specific terms.