TACO!
"Nauseating"
"Shocking"
"Get this shit done"
Zelensky has "to like" U.S.-Russian deal
"Worse than we thought"
Take it or leave it
Deadline "before Thanksgiving"
Trump envoys issue ultimatum to Ukraine to sign peace deal by Thursday
The Trump administration has told Ukrainian and European officials there is little room to negotiate on its plan to end Russia’s war, as the US heaps pressure on Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign a deal drawn up with Moscow’s help by Thursday.
In a television address earlier on Friday, Zelenskyy warned the nation that it risked having to choose between the loss of US support or the loss of its dignity in a harsh peace with Russia.
The Ukrainian leader’s comments came a day after Driscoll presented him with the 28-point plan that crossed several of Kyiv’s red lines and were depicted by European allies as a “capitulation” to Moscow.
“Now Ukraine may find itself facing a very difficult choice — either loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner,” Zelenskyy said. The country faced “one of the most difficult moments in our history”.
Hardline message over US-Russia plan at volatile meeting in Kyiv sparks alarm among European allies
The Trump administration has told Ukrainian and European officials there is little room to negotiate on its plan to end Russia’s war, as the US heaps pressure on Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign a deal drawn up with Moscow’s help by Thursday.
US army secretary Daniel Driscoll told European ambassadors and western officials at a volatile meeting in Kyiv late on Friday that he was “optimistic that now is the time for peace” — but warned that Washington would show little flexibility.
“We are not negotiating details,” he said, according to a senior European official in the meeting at the Kyiv residence of US Chargé d’Affaires, Julie Davis. One senior European official described the tone of the meeting as “nauseating”.
“There are strong indications that Russia has a strong industrial base and it is a matter of time until Ukraine has to cut a deal,” she said, according to the ambassador.
“We are not negotiating details,” he said, according to a senior European official in the meeting at the Kyiv residence of US Chargé d’Affaires, Julie Davis. One senior European official described the tone of the meeting as “nauseating”.
...Trump’s comments on Friday that Ukraine would “have to like” Washington’s deal, prompted late-night discussions among European leaders gathered for the G20 meeting in Johannesburg about how to intervene.
The meeting...came a day after the US’s 28-point plan surfaced. The discussion went sideways quickly, according to European officials present.
[U.S. Chargé d’Affaires,] Davis told the group gathering in the mansion that “as much as we can support Ukraine continuing the war, there are limits”, said one ambassador present.
“There are strong indications that Russia has a strong industrial base and it is a matter of time until Ukraine has to cut a deal,” she said, according to the ambassador.
Driscoll showed up late and laced his comments with profanities, according to people present. “We need to get this shit done,” he said.
Davis and Driscoll insisted that president Zelenskyy sign the deal before the American Thanksgiving Day holiday, on Thursday.
“We have a narrow window for peace — president Trump wants peace now,” Driscoll said, according to a readout provided to the Financial Times by a senior western official present. “The more cooks in the kitchen, the harder it is to handle.”
In a television address earlier on Friday, Zelenskyy warned the nation that it risked having to choose between the loss of US support or the loss of its dignity in a harsh peace with Russia.
The Ukrainian leader’s comments came a day after Driscoll presented him with the 28-point plan that crossed several of Kyiv’s red lines and were depicted by European allies as a “capitulation” to Moscow.
“Now Ukraine may find itself facing a very difficult choice — either loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner,” Zelenskyy said. The country faced “one of the most difficult moments in our history”.
Trump responded to Zelenskyy’s comments in the Oval Office on Friday, saying the Ukrainian president would “have to like” the US plan. “At some point, he’s going to have to accept something.”
Financial Times
As the meeting came to a close, the EU ambassadors argued that instead of cutting a deal now, more pressure on Russia was needed. The Americans said what was on offer was the best Ukraine could expect.
“It turns out this is even worse than we thought,” said another senior European official briefed on the meeting.
First thing that came to mind:
Trump, Mamdani make love — not war
The incoming New York City mayor and Democratic Socialist found common ground with the Republican president.
Trump Heaps Praise on Mamdani and New York’s Future
A high-stakes White House meeting between President Donald Trump and mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani turned into a lovefest — with both men heaping populist praise on each other for pursuing ways to address the cost of living.
City Hall reporter
Trump rejects his ally Elise Stefanik’s description of Mamdani as a “jihadist.” He is actually a really “rational person,” Trump said.
“We agree on a lot more than I would have thought,” Trump says about Mamdani.
Nov. 21, 2025, 4:04 p.m. ET4 hours ago
Dana RubinsteinCity Hall reporter
With all the arm-slapping and warm smiles, Trump is being outright avuncular with Mamdani. “He’s different,” says Trump of the mayor-elect. “He has a chance to really do something great for New York.”
Nov. 21, 2025, 4:03 p.m. ET4 hours ago
Tyler PagerWhite House reporter
“I expect to be helping him, not hurting him — a big help,” Trump said of Mamdani.
The president added, “I think this mayor can do some things that are going to be really great.”
Nov. 21, 2025, 3:56 p.m. ET4 hours ago
Dana RubinsteinCity Hall reporter
Trump said he had “very little doubt” that he and Mamdani agree on anti-crime policies, which seems unlikely.
😂
Emma FitzsimmonsNew York City Hall bureau chief
Trump patted Mamdani on the arm when Mamdani was asked by a reporter if Trump was a fascist. Mamdani smiled awkwardly, and the president advised him to just say yes rather than try to explain.
Dana Rubinstein City Hall reporter
Trump just leaped to Mamdani’s defense after a reporter asked him why he chose the less-green travel option of flying to Washington instead of taking a train. Trump noted that Mamdani was very busy and that flying was faster.
Trump just leaped to Mamdani’s defense after a reporter asked him why he chose the less-green travel option of flying to Washington instead of taking a train. Trump noted that Mamdani was very busy and that flying was faster.
Nov. 21, 2025, 3:48 p.m. ET5 hours ago
Emma FitzsimmonsNew York City Hall bureau chief
It is stunning to see Mamdani strike a positive tone at this meeting. He has been highly critical of the president, though he has noted that many New Yorkers voted for both of them.
Who said this leftist movement had similar appeal as Trumpism did because it was populist, not liberal-conservative? Oh, that's right, me.
