Today in Focus The frantic push to bring peace to Ukraine
Nov 26, 2025
Piotr Sauer, a Russian affairs reporter for The Guardian, dives into the complex landscape of ongoing peace negotiations in Ukraine. He discusses three competing peace proposals and the contrasting moods in Kyiv and Moscow. Sauer reveals the contentious demands from Russia, including troop caps and amnesty, while detailing Ukraine's priorities for any deal. He examines the impact of public sentiment on both sides, the challenges of diplomacy led by unconventional figures, and the pressing need for a resolution amid war fatigue.
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Key Issues Left For Later
- The reworked 19-point plan removed some extreme Russian demands but deferred sensitive issues to leaders later.
- That left major topics like territory and NATO membership vague and open to interpretation.
A Deal Made In Florida
- The plan was drafted by dealmakers, not career diplomats: Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev.
- Piotr Sauer says most of the work happened in Florida and reflected business-style drafting.
Transactional Language Undermined Credibility
- The plan's language was transactional and lacked standard monitoring and implementation details.
- That clunky drafting made acceptance by professional diplomats and Putin uncertain despite pro-Russian tilt.