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Senators Say Trump’s 28-Point Russia–Ukraine Plan Rewards Aggression, Warns of Dangerous Precedent

U.S. senators at the Halifax International Security Forum condemned President Trump’s 28-point Russia–Ukraine proposal as effectively rewarding Russian aggression and risking a dangerous international precedent. The plan, reportedly drafted by the Trump administration with Kremlin input and without Ukrainian participation, includes concessions Kyiv has repeatedly rejected. Senators across the political spectrum — including Angus King, Thom Tillis and Jeanne Shaheen — expressed strong objections while Vladimir Putin welcomed the draft and President Zelenskyy insisted on fair terms.

02:27 AM, 11/23/2025Politics
Senators Say Trump’s 28-Point Russia–Ukraine Plan Rewards Aggression, Warns of Dangerous Precedent

U.S. senators at the Halifax International Security Forum sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s 28-point peace proposal for the Russia–Ukraine war, arguing the draft — reportedly prepared by the Trump administration with input from the Kremlin and without Ukrainian participation — would reward Russian aggression and establish a risky precedent for other states.

Bipartisan Concerns at Halifax

Panelists included Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. King called the plan "rewarding aggression" and compared it to British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s 1938 Munich Pact as an act of appeasement. Tillis said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell’s public rebuke did not go far enough; McConnell warned that if officials prioritize "appeasing Putin over securing real peace," the President should find new advisers. Shaheen described the proposal as an "outrage."

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin welcomed the draft late Friday, saying it "could form the basis of a final peace settlement" if Ukraine and its European partners agree. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not reject the plan outright in a public address but insisted on fair terms and pledged to "work calmly" with Washington and other allies during what he called one of the most difficult moments in Ukraine’s history.

Key Issues and Wider Impact

Attendees said the 28-point plan concedes to several Russian demands that Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected, including ceding significant territory, and that Ukraine was not involved in drafting the proposal. While lawmakers from both parties have voiced opposition, none have the authority to block a White House-backed plan. The administration has said it wants Kyiv to accept the proposal by late next week.

The Halifax International Security Forum, now in its 17th year, draws roughly 300 participants — military officials, senators, diplomats and scholars — to the Westin Hotel each year. This year, the administration barred some U.S. defense personnel from participating in events hosted by certain think tanks, including the Halifax forum. A large U.S. Senate delegation said it traveled to Halifax in part to address strains in the Canada–U.S. relationship tied to the President’s trade policies and comments about Canada; some Canadians have reduced travel to the U.S., contributing to dips in tourism in border states such as New Hampshire.

"There's real concern about that strain. That's one reason why there's such a big delegation here," Shaheen said. "I will continue to object to what the president is doing in terms of tariffs and his comments because they are not only detrimental to Canada and our relationship, but I think they are detrimental globally. They show a lack of respect of sovereign nations."

Correction: this version corrects the reference to Mitch McConnell as a former Republican Senate leader.

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