Oleksa Drachewych

And at the G20 summit in South Africa, Canada, Japan, and the European leaders have released a joint statement feeling the US Peace Plan still needs work, while reaffirming their support for Ukraine. Trump keeps shifting - now it's more clearly a "starting point": www.reuters.com/world/americ...

Top US officials to meet with Ukrainian delegation amid renewed peace talks The Office of the President of Ukraine said in a statement on social media Saturday that "consultations on steps to end the war will take place in the coming days."

Ukrainian delegation to meet US delegation in Switzerland re: the "peace plan." We've been down this path before - until signatures are on paper and on an agreement, it's just the same as Feb, as April, as August, as Oct, etc. abcnews.go.com/Internationa...

All of this is to say that there's a lot to happen. And it's very possible it will all peter out like many other "peace plans" so far. Regardless, Putin gets what he wants - to play Great Power with the US and that may be enough for him while Russian strikes continue to terrorize Ukraine. (9/n)

I'd agree with the points in your piece, too. I'll be curious what you think of my analysis in my book. Especially as I try to point out when the comparison fails while highlighting what lessons may be useful and where Russia explicitly draws on the past.

I can certainly understand why. Especially as many such columns and tweets that make such comparisons are superficial. They also generate more heat than light in what they offer analytically.

And I'd look forward to your review. I know the book will lead some to roll their eyes, but I hope even if people feel i go too far, it proves useful and gets scholars thinking about historical memory politics and atrocity.

I can agree there. This is a unique war with its own contexts and consequences. That said, it do think the issue of memory politics and usable pasts inform how Russia operates. This is, of course, different from simplistic "history repeats" arguments.

I say this as someone who has written a book comparing the Soviet war and postwar eras to Russia's actions today in Ukraine and has resisted the Munich comparison.

Replaying the Second World War | Columbia University Press Oleksa Drachewych argues that Russia’s instrumentalization of its memory of WWII has played a significant role in leading Russian forces to commit similar ... | CUP

On this, I generally agree. Esp. as I think Putin wants return to Yalta as it recognizes Russia as equal to US. But I'll admit, I'll but curious of my forthcoming book which I hope scholars will feel is a more robust treatment of the lessons and instrumentalization: cup.columbia.edu/book/replayi...

It's clear the US is in danger of no longer being a democracy, let alone protector of democracy.

The majority of Americans support Ukraine or are certainly anti-Putin.
Even the majority of elected Republicans such as Rep Brian Fitz, but can they force Trump to stop supporting Russia?

Why justice for Ukraine must be at the forefront of peace negotiations Although a ceasefire and negotiations may be a good first step, any chance at lasting peace in Russia’s war in Ukraine requires consideration of Russian war crimes.

One addendum - without justice, lasting peace is unlikely in Russia's War in Ukraine. Even if somehow this is agreed to (and I seriously doubt that), it won't resolve matters. I expand here: theconversation.com/why-justice-...

PM Tusk:
Be for a strong West, not for Russia. Stand with #Ukraine in its war with Russia, no ifs and buts. Every 'but' works for Russia, and therefore against our security.

Much is moving quickly regarding the news with the new 28 point peace plan Americans have presented to Ukrainians, a peace plan drafted between American and Russian officials. A quick thread to analyze. 🧵

Trump envoys issue ultimatum to Ukraine to sign peace deal by Thursday Hardline message over US-Russia plan at volatile meeting in Kyiv sparks alarm among European allies

Read my scoop overnight from Kyiv, where US army secretary Dan Driscoll’s brief meeting (he was running late after calls with Vance) with European ambassadors at the US ambassador’s residence in Podil left one feeling “nauseated” and others “shocked.” W/ @henryjfoy.ft.com

on.ft.com/43GWpxI

Trump says Zelensky to either like US plan or continue fighting The US leader told reporters at the White House when asked to comment on Kiev's position on the US plan

Here's the TASS reporting: tass.com/world/2047181

To me, it's interesting how Trump's not framing it as an ultimatum but more at some point something has to change. More interesting is TASS sharing the quote, which to me, along with Putin's declaration that "Ukraine has already rejected it" may be their method to explain why the plan will fail.

"[Zelenskyy]'ll have to like [the "peace plan"], and if he doesn't like it, then you know, they should just keep fighting, I guess...At some point he's going to have to accept something he hasn't accepted," Trump said. TASS also specifically reprinting the first half. www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Putin has announced he has received the text of the peace plan. He notes they accept it as a basis for negotiations (while claiming Ukr. has already turned it down), but that there remain certain "complex" issues to be dealt with. Again, nothing firm, and more the same to keep US more on their side.

Meanwhile, Trump has named American Thanksgiving as a "deadline" for Ukraine to announce its willingness to work with the US's 28 point "peace plan." And when pushed about it giving Russia land it doesn't control, Trump says "they would lose it in a short period of time."

"Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner." - Zelenskyy earlier today.

One more thought on this - Putin has wanted to break the Transatlantic partnership for years. He's tried multiple times explicitly through his meetings with Trump. That's also how this should be viewed. Not necessarily as Russia agreeing to actual peace.

Why justice for Ukraine must be at the forefront of peace negotiations Although a ceasefire and negotiations may be a good first step, any chance at lasting peace in Russia’s war in Ukraine requires consideration of Russian war crimes.

One addendum - without justice, lasting peace is unlikely in Russia's War in Ukraine. Even if somehow this is agreed to (and I seriously doubt that), it won't resolve matters. I expand here: theconversation.com/why-justice-...

TLDR, it's a bad deal for Ukraine. Russia sticks with most of its demands. It's unlikely to be accepted. Think of broader context to explain the why now. I summarize the plan's content here: bsky.app/profile/odra... (end)

All of this is to say that there's a lot to happen. And it's very possible it will all peter out like many other "peace plans" so far. Regardless, Putin gets what he wants - to play Great Power with the US and that may be enough for him while Russian strikes continue to terrorize Ukraine. (9/n)

To put it another way, Trump bringing peace in Ukraine (even if it would be a paper peace and one that would likely be disastrous, esp for Ukraine) would be a massive distraction from the real crises his administration are dealing with. And Russia likely played to that too. (8/n)

While many are highlighting Zelenskyy's challenges, namely the corruption scandal and how the timing lines up with that, and yes, that is likely why some of this pressure is happening, Trump has also had a bad week domestically. The Trump admin is in overdrive trying to flood the zone. (7/n)

Trump and Putin didn’t hold new peace talks after all — but that was likely Putin’s plan all along The aborted Hungarian summit between Putin and Trump reflects more on how Putin has tried to manage his relationship with Trump to gain other geopolitical benefits.

At this point, this looks like a lot of momentum in one direction. Let's remind ourselves how it looked like Feb., like May, like Aug., like Oct. - all saw movement to "peace". As I wrote last month, Putin (and Zelenskyy) both have learned how to work Trump: theconversation.com/trump-and-pu... (6/n)

«Это ползучая капитуляция» США разработали новый план мира. Похоже, он не нравится вообще никому. Как его комментируют в Украине, России и на Западе — Meduza 19 ноября сразу несколько западных СМИ раскрыли детали нового мирного плана по Украине, над которым непублично работали люди из команд Владимира Путина и Дональда Трампа (не пригласив к переговорам ни...

Meduza meanwhile has compiled a good overview that highlights that right now no one seems to really care for the plan and even the Russians are downplaying it. Again, Putin has consistently scuttled peace plans, even those that are pro-Russian. meduza.io/feature/2025... (5/n)

Rubio has come out and said that this is a starting point. Yes, negotiations need to start somewhere. But given it's largely where things were months (if not years) ago....nonetheless, they plan to get European and Ukrainian input. We will see. (4/n)

Zelenskyy has since said he is willing to "work with the plan." Do not mistake this as him agreeing with it. He realizes he needs to still play ball with the US while they are in this position. He's signalling his willingness to consider peace, even while this plan is favourable to Russia. (3/n)