On October 20, 2026, the United States intensified its efforts to push Ukraine towards a peace deal with Russia, raising concerns among Ukrainian politicians and international observers.
Signals from Washington
According to reports from The New York Times, Washington plans to convey a message to President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo, urging Ukraine to agree to a deal largely written on Russia's terms. The US claims that attempts to hold onto Donbas are not worth the effort and that Ukraine could gain financial benefits by dropping its objections.
Reactions from US Congress Members
Following Zelensky's meeting with a bipartisan group of Congress members, Democrats Gregory Meeks, Adam Smith, and Jim Himes issued a joint statement calling for urgent strengthening of support for Ukraine. They accused the Trump administration of prioritizing Russian interests and emphasized the need to provide Ukraine with military, economic, and intelligence support.
Trump's Statements and Strategy
Trump, for his part, asserts that holding onto occupied territories is pointless and assures that Ukraine can benefit from a peace deal, even if it is on Moscow's terms. He also criticizes Kyiv for not showing readiness to end the war, while ignoring Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and energy systems.
- The US is discussing a deal regarding part of the Russian oil giant Lukoil.
- Trump's representatives are preparing to meet with Vladimir Putin.
- Trump aims to restore relations with Moscow, even if it weakens Ukraine's position.