US army secretary warned during Kyiv visit that Ukraine could face defeat if war continues – NBC News
US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll presented a 28-point "peace plan" to Ukrainian officials during his visit to Kyiv, warned them that Ukrainian troops would suffer an "imminent defeat" against Russian forces and stressed that Kyiv's negotiating position could weaken if the war continues.
Source: NBC News, citing two sources speaking on the condition of anonymity, as reported by European Pravda
Details: During the meeting, Driscoll told Ukrainian officials that the situation for Ukrainian troops on the front line is dire and that they would face an "imminent defeat" against Russian forces.
He warned that Russia is increasing the scale and intensity of its airstrikes and can "fight on indefinitely". He added that the situation in Ukraine is likely to worsen over time, making it more advantageous to negotiate peace now rather than later, when the country's negotiating position could weaken further.
The US delegation also said that the American defence industry would be unable to supply Ukraine with weapons, including missiles for air defence systems, quickly enough to adequately protect infrastructure and civilians.
Quote from one of the sources: "The message was basically – you are losing, and you need to accept the deal."
Background:
- Bloomberg learned that the Russian negotiating team discussed a strategy to present the Russian "peace plan" proposal to US President Donald Trump's team so that the Americans could pass these ideas off as their own initiative.
- On 25 November, Trump stated that he has tasked Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Driscoll with finalising the terms of a proposed "peace agreement" between Russia and Ukraine. Witkoff is expected to travel to Moscow, and if talks reach the final stage, Trump plans to meet Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Trump believes Russia's biggest concession would be agreeing to stop fighting and not seize additional territory.
- According to CNN, Ukraine and the US still disagree on three points of the proposed "peace agreement", including a demand that would see Ukraine withdraw without a fight from the part of Donetsk Oblast that is not currently occupied.
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