{"id":23453,"date":"2025-12-12T06:58:01","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T05:58:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kaizen-blog.org\/?p=23453"},"modified":"2025-12-12T06:58:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T05:58:04","slug":"die-gefaehrlichsten-tage-des-krieges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kaizen-blog.org\/en\/die-gefaehrlichsten-tage-des-krieges\/","title":{"rendered":"The Most Dangerous Days of the War"},"content":{"rendered":"

Volodymyr Zelensky made it unmistakably clear in Kyiv that the revised peace proposal from Washington still contains the demand his country will never accept: withdrawal from the Donbas. Put differently, the United States is proposing a compromise that would not be a compromise for Ukraine. Zelensky said the territory that Kyiv still holds should, according to the American proposal, become a \u201cfree economic zone\u201d without Ukrainian or Russian troops, while Russia would be allowed to remain in the occupied areas. At the same time, it remained unclear who would actually administer this territory. For Zelensky, it is clear that such a model entrenches the aggressor\u2019s power and punishes Ukraine, even though it is the country that was attacked. \u201cIf you talk to us about a compromise,\u201d he said, \u201cthen you must offer a fair compromise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Ukrainian proposal, developed by Kyiv together with European partners, has now been delivered to Washington. Two points are central to it: security and clear lines. Ukraine demands guarantees that are legally binding and can exist only with the approval of the US Congress. Without these guarantees, no agreement is possible, not after a war that has shown for nearly four years how quickly Russia can strike again. The Kremlin continues to demand that Ukraine give up enormous territories, shrink its army and keep its distance from NATO, all points that would leave the country defenseless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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According to Zelensky, Russia has offered only minimal withdrawals in several regions, in Dnipro, Kharkiv and Sumy. At the same time, Moscow wants to freeze the front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Ukraine, however, demands that the entire front line be stabilized in the event of a cease-fire, including the Donbas. Any decision on territorial concessions would have to be presented to the citizens, through elections or a referendum. This requires security, and that does not exist at present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Kyiv holds to its position, European states are trying to steer Trump away from a peace model that favors Russia. Friedrich Merz confirmed that European and Ukrainian negotiators had sent the White House their own proposal. The call between Trump, Merz, Macron and Starmer was described as \u201chard\u201d. Trump himself spoke of \u201cpretty strong words\u201d. His impatience was even more open. They did not want to \u201cwaste time\u201d, he said. \u201cSometimes you have to let people fight.\u201d A sentence that reveals much about the thinking in the White House and little about the reality of a war with tens of thousands of dead. Starmer had just led a video conference with more than 25 states willing to help with reconstruction after a potential agreement. Participants emphasized that this is a decisive moment for Ukraine but also for Europe\u2019s security. At the center was the question of whether frozen Russian assets could be used for financing. At the same time, Zelensky negotiated with American government officials and business leaders about a reconstruction plan. Present were, among others, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Jared Kushner and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink. Zelensky made clear in his video message afterward: \u201cWhen there is security, everything else follows.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As diplomacy and pressure intersect, the situation at the front is intensifying. Russia is attempting to strengthen its position through attacks along the entire line. Pokrovsk, contested for months, is on the verge of full capture. During the night, Russia again struck Ukraine\u2019s energy infrastructure, while Ukrainian drones carried out attacks on Russian territory. The Russian Defense Ministry reported the downing of more than 280 drones, including many heading toward Moscow. All four airports of the capital had to close for hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Merz, Starmer, Macron \u2013 and a Trump who refuses to show up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n