President Donald Trump’s recent announcement on Truth Social has cast doubt on ongoing efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief advisor, Andriy Yermak, was actively discussing the potential for a peace summit, Trump revealed that he was sending Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet with Ukrainian officials and Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow. This development appears to have stalled hopes for an immediate resolution to the nearly three-year conflict.
During an interview with The Post on March 12, 2024, Yermak expressed optimism about a 19-point proposal that had been discussed between Washington and Kyiv officials. He envisioned this proposal being adopted as a joint peace plan by the end of the week, ideally with a signing ceremony between Trump and Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Trump’s post included a statement that he looked forward to a meeting with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but only when a deal was final or nearly complete. He emphasized, “let’s all hope that PEACE can be accomplished AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!” Upon reading Trump’s message, Yermak’s demeanor shifted noticeably. He requested time to reassess the situation, indicating that he needed to understand the implications of Driscoll’s mission and Witkoff’s discussions in Moscow.
Yermak highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that each passing day increases the risk of further Russian missile strikes and civilian casualties. He stated, “Every day it’s a risk to lose best people, children. We have no time.” The proposed peace plan, while promising, remains a work in progress. Yermak acknowledged that there are still sensitive issues to resolve directly between Trump and Zelensky, which he hoped could occur soon.
Despite the challenges, Yermak remained confident that only the United States could effectively pressure Russia into a peace agreement. “I am sure that the United States of America has a lot of possibilities… how to press Russia,” he asserted. He pointed to various strategies, including sanctions and leveraging Washington’s global influence as key tools. Yermak maintained that Trump, in particular, holds significant clout to facilitate a resolution, stating, “I’m still sure that one leader in the world who can end this war… it’s President Trump.”
As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Trump’s latest move will impact the peace negotiations. Both Ukraine and Russia have yet to fully commit to the proposed plans, and the upcoming discussions among U.S. officials will be critical in shaping the trajectory of these peace efforts.
