Trump sets a new deadline for Ukraine; Is Iran moving toward an agreement?

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, following his repeated claims that he can end the Russia–Ukraine war and the plan his administration is drafting for this purpose, has set next Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) as a deadline for Ukraine to agree to this plan and bring the war to an end.

According to Rokna, Trump said on Friday local time, in an interview with Fox News, that next Thursday is “a good time” for Ukraine to accept Washington’s proposed peace agreement.

In a radio interview with Fox News, the President confirmed that his administration has set a deadline for next Thursday for Ukraine to sign the White House’s 28-point plan aimed at ending the war with Russia.

He stated: “I have had many deadlines, but if things go well, we usually extend them. But Thursday is the final deadline.”

CNN reports that the Trump administration’s draft plan for ending the conflict includes Kyiv’s territorial concessions to Russia, as well as the United States’ “practical” recognition of Crimea and other Ukrainian territories seized by the Kremlin as Russian land. Ukraine would also be required to limit its military forces.

CNN adds that many of the ideas in the 28-point plan were rejected in previous negotiations by Ukraine and European officials, who view them as concessions to Russia.

NBC News also reported, citing three US officials, that the White House wants Kyiv to sign a framework for ending the war by Thanksgiving Day, based on the 28-point US peace proposal.

According to this American outlet, the desire to achieve this goal by next Thursday has been conveyed to the Ukrainian government, though officials emphasized that it is more of an objective than a strict deadline.

US officials admitted to NBC News that negotiations to end the conflict are expected to be extremely complex and will likely take longer than one week.

Trump claims Iran wants to reach an agreement

In the same Fox News interview, the US President repeated his allegations regarding Iran’s nuclear program and capabilities, claiming that Iran’s nuclear program has been pushed back, and arguing that Tehran now wishes to reach an agreement with Washington. Emphasizing that the situation is now very different compared to months ago, he raised the possibility of a deal.

The President claimed: “Iran wants to reach an agreement, and we will probably reach an agreement with them.”

Trump then described what he sees as broader changes in the Middle East, claiming that more countries are joining peace efforts and that the list “continues to grow.”

He claimed that he is creating conditions that constitute a “remarkable moment for the region.” “Hamas and other armed groups, after months of war, have been significantly weakened.”

The US President also claimed that tensions involving Hezbollah and Lebanon remain serious but are smaller in scale than past crises.

Trump: I will speak with Maduro soon

The US President also said in this interview that he will soon speak with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and that he has “very specific” statements to make.

The President said: “In the not-too-distant future, I will speak with him. I cannot tell you what I will say to him, but I have very specific things to say.”

Trump repeatedly avoided providing details but said that the United States “will have a very significant role.”

According to CNN, the US President, who has previously confirmed military options against Venezuela and CIA activities in the country, hopes that pressure to force Maduro to step down will be sufficient without direct military action.

Trump claims genocide against Christians in Nigeria has been stopped

Regarding Nigeria, Trump claimed that genocide against Christians is taking place in the country and that the United States is stopping this trend.

Trump adopts conciliatory tone ahead of meeting with Mamdani

Before his scheduled Friday meeting at the White House with Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York City, the US President struck a conciliatory tone, praised Mamdani’s decisive victory, and predicted a peaceful meeting.

In a radio interview with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, Trump said: “We are meeting this evening, and I think it will be completely peaceful.”

The US President added: “He has a different philosophy. He is a bit different. I give him a lot of credit for this campaign. He ran a successful campaign, and we all know campaigns are not easy, but I think we will get along well.”

He also noted that the two New Yorkers could find common ground. “We are pursuing one goal. We want to make New York stronger. And you know, there are very different philosophies.”

The President added: “I don’t think he has a problem with me. He is a politician, so I don’t think there will be an issue.”

Trump walks back threat against Democratic lawmakers

In the same interview, Trump claimed that he is not “threatening to kill” Democratic lawmakers who had urged the military to refuse unlawful orders that might be issued by the government, but insisted that these lawmakers are “in serious trouble.”

The President said: “I am not threatening them, but I think they are in serious trouble. I say they are in serious trouble. I am not threatening to kill anyone, but I think they are in serious trouble.”

Democratic leaders and even several Republicans condemned Trump’s posts on Truth Social accusing lawmakers of “treasonous behavior, punishable by death!”

The White House also denied claims that Trump wants members of Congress to be executed.

The US President added that the Pentagon, in addition to the Department of Justice, is reviewing video footage of lawmakers. “I have no idea, but I think the military is looking at it.”

He added that when he first learned of the video, he thought it was “a comedy film.” “Well, if you look at treason, it is a very strong form of betrayal. I must tell you, it is terrible to say it — I heard it and thought it was some kind of comedy film.”