This “peace plan” rewards Russian aggression – Oleksiy Haran explains Ukraine’s reaction to Trump’s 28-point initiative

During a broadcast on Al Jazeera, Oleksiy Haran, Professor of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and Academic Advisor at the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation – spoke from a dimly lit room due to daily power outages caused by Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He explained why Donald Trump’s proposed “peace plan” is unacceptable for Ukraine. In his view, such proposals not only ignore the reality of Russian aggression but also set a dangerous precedent for the entire world:

“The issue concerns Ukraine because, as you know, this so-called ‘peace plan’ actually rewards aggression. According to this proposal, Ukraine would have to withdraw its troops from territories that are not occupied, and the Ukrainian army would have to be reduced. This is extremely difficult to understand, because it is not Ukraine that is attacking – it is Russia that is attacking us. We pose no threat to Russia, so the demand to shrink our army is absurd.

I hope that despite the limited time before the deadline, diplomacy will continue — not only on Ukraine’s part but also on the part of Europe. Such a plan would amount to capitulation not only for Ukraine, but also for Europe and the United States. It signals weak leadership and rewards aggression, thereby creating incentives for future acts of aggression – not only against us but also, for instance, in the case of China. There are many strange elements in this plan…”