The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim Is Trump's new Ukraine plan capitulation or compromise?
Nov 26, 2025
The discussion dives into a contentious 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, dissecting whether it represents a capitulation or a strategic compromise. The hosts explore critical sticking points, including Russia's demands over Crimea and military caps on Ukraine's forces. They also address the implications of Ukraine's domestic corruption scandal on political stability, weighing calls for new elections amidst ongoing negotiations. The interplay of EU amendments and potential security guarantees adds further complexity to this pressing geopolitical issue.
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Reporting From Geneva And A Dubai Wedding
- Yalda Hakim is in Dubai for her sister's wedding but covering diplomatic moves and squeezing work into family time.
- Richard Engel reports from Geneva where negotiations led to a modified plan closer to Ukraine's position.
Geneva Shifted The Plan Toward Balance
- The US 28-point plan initially mirrored many Russian demands but was later watered down into a 19-point version acceptable to Ukraine's negotiators.
- Negotiations in Geneva moved the plan from pro-Russia toward a more balanced baseline for direct talks between Zelenskyy and Trump.
Territory Is The Central Sticking Point
- Territory is the core sticking point because Ukraine refuses to legally recognise land seized by Russia, especially Crimea.
- Freezing front lines or promising negotiations later are possible compromises but remain politically toxic in Ukraine.