The Bunker – News without the nonsense Loser takes it all? – How Trump's plan for Ukraine fell apart, with Luke Harding of The Guardian
Nov 27, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Luke Harding, a seasoned foreign correspondent for The Guardian and author of 'Invasion: Russia's Bloody War and Ukraine's Fight for Survival', unpacks the fallout from Trump's controversial 28-point peace plan for Ukraine. He reveals how the plan was a Russian initiative masquerading as a diplomatic effort. Luke delves into Zelensky's diplomatic balancing act amidst this chaos and highlights how the ongoing tensions have surprisingly bolstered his position back home. Tune in for a captivating look at the complexities of international diplomacy!
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Plan Read As A Kremlin Production
- The 28-point plan read like a Russian document with clear Russian phrasing and priorities.
- Luke Harding concludes it was essentially a Kremlin-authored surrender plan passed through Trump's envoys to pressure Ukraine.
Envoys Oversold The Deal In Kyiv
- Luke Harding recounts US envoys in Kyiv overselling the deal and pressuring Zelensky with a fixed deadline.
- He describes US embassy staff calling the diplomatic push 'extraordinary' and predicting a quick settlement.
Zelensky Balances Diplomacy And Sovereignty
- Zelensky has tried to stay diplomatic to avoid a US-Ukraine rupture while resisting terms that de-sovereignise Ukraine.
- Harding argues most Ukrainians reject ceding territory or limits that make future defence impossible.
