• Former President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed during a recent phone call that progress toward peace in Ukraine must advance.
  • The Trump administration is pushing for a deal based on a new 28-point peace plan, with a self-imposed Thanksgiving deadline for meaningful progress.
  • The proposed framework reportedly requires Ukraine to cede eastern territory and accept military caps, drawing criticism from some Republican senators who view the terms as aligning with Russian interests.

A Push for Peace

Former President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have concluded a phone call in which both leaders affirmed that efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine need to move forward, according to people familiar with the matter. This high-level discussion signals a concerted push by the Trump administration to secure an international agreement, with a Thanksgiving deadline now looming for substantive developments.

The diplomatic effort is centered on a new 28-point peace proposal. While joint U.S.-Ukraine statements have indicated "meaningful progress towards aligning positions and identifying clear next steps," the specific terms have proven contentious. The proposal reportedly requires Ukraine to cede parts of its eastern territories and accept limits on its military capabilities—conditions that have drawn fire from some Republican senators who argue they disproportionately benefit Russian interests.

Despite these criticisms, officials have drafted a "refined peace framework" following the latest round of discussions. The administration continues to coordinate closely with Ukrainian counterparts, with a particular focus on critical humanitarian issues, including the release of prisoners of war and the return of abducted Ukrainian children.

The China Factor

Trump's direct engagement with Xi underscores a strategic attempt to secure crucial international buy-in for the peace initiative. China's role is seen as pivotal given its status as a major economic partner to Russia, which has continued its energy trade despite a web of Western sanctions targeting Russian oil. The phone call follows a recent meeting between the two leaders in South Korea, which had already begun to thaw trade relations, suggesting a broader strategic alignment on pressing global issues may be taking shape.

The U.S. continues to apply pressure through both sanctions and diplomatic incentives, highlighting the complex power dynamics at play. The involvement of a major power like China could potentially alter the calculus for Moscow, though it remains unclear if Russia is prepared to make the concessions necessary for a deal by the fast-approaching deadline.

Efforts to reach representatives from the former president's team for additional comment were not immediately successful. A spokesperson for the National Security Council declined to comment on the specifics of the diplomatic discussions.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the location of the prior Trump-Xi meeting. It was in South Korea.