The details of the peace deal presented today by US special envoy Steve Witkoff are consistent with the report in the Financial Times discussed in my previous article and with Larry Sparano in the posted interview. Putin will halt the Russian advance prior to driving Ukrainian soldiers out of all of the territory that has been reincorporated into Russia. It appears to be the case that the borders between Russia and Ukraine will be the current front line, so Putin is withdrawing Russia’s claim to the Russian territories still under Ukrainian occupation.

Pressure builds on President Zelensky to accept a forced peace

President Donald Trump’s hopes of securing a quick Ukraine peace deal hang in the balance after Washington’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, held his fourth Kremlin meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday.

This is the first of a three-part series on the history of NATO and US European Command military exercises with Ukraine. This shows how the West, acting like a camel, slipped its big nose under the Ukrainian tent as part of a long-term strategy to defeat Russia

It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible for the U.S. to broker peace 

U.S. proposal includes recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and blocking Ukraine from joining NATO

Democrats significantly more likely than Republicans to rate NATO positively and to say U.S. benefits from membership

Ukraine says attack on churchgoers a ‘war crime’, Trump chalks up to a ‘mistake’ while Moscow claims it was a legit military hit

The US has told Group of Seven allies it won’t endorse a statement condemning Russia’s deadliest attack on Ukraine this year because it wants to keep negotiations with Moscow on track.

There is still reason for optimism that the Trump administration can bring the war in Ukraine to a diplomatic end. But insubstantial promises of a fast, smooth sailing solution have splintered against the solidity of reality. Campaign promises of a day became goals of a hundred. As the hundredth day appears on the horizon, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the U.S. is still far from securing a diplomatic solution and that there is no guarantee that there will be one.