Trump Administration Updates on Ukraine Peace Talks and US Political Developments
Former President Trump has expressed fatigue over the ongoing Ukraine peace talks, which have involved over 30 hours of discussions lately with Russian, Ukrainian, and European representatives. He may send a representative this weekend if the meeting is considered worthwhile.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly under pressure from Trump to sign the US peace plan. Trump has accused Zelenskyy of not having read the draft and questioned his legitimacy, calling for elections in Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine's revised plan was sent to Washington on Wednesday, with the main unresolved issues being territory disputes and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Leavitt commented that Trump is aware of Ukraine's updated proposal but did not offer further remarks. Zelenskyy described the US plan, which includes the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donbas region and the establishment of a free economic zone there. The proposed compromise involves Ukraine's troop withdrawal without allowing any Russian territorial advances. This contrasts with an earlier US position that suggested Kyiv should cede parts of the territory to Russia.
In other developments, there is bipartisan unease in Washington regarding the escalation of US military posture in the Caribbean, especially following the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker. Lawmakers have condemned the action, while Trump has accused the Venezuelan government of involvement in drug trafficking.
Additionally, Indiana Republicans have rejected a redrawn congressional map by a vote of 19-31, which would have added two Republican-favored seats. The current map maintains seven Republican districts out of nine.
