Victoria Coates on Trump's Peace Deal Progress with Ukraine and Iran's 'Full-Scale War' Declaration

Trump's Ukraine Peace Deal Progress

• 🤝 President Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, aiming to close gaps on a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, with both leaders expressing optimism.
• 🎯 Trump stated they made significant progress, covering about 95% of the deal, describing it as the most deadly and biggest war since World War II.
• 🗺️ The remaining sticking points are reportedly the border issue in the Donbas region, specifically what territory Ukraine might cede and Russia might claim.
• 📞 Trump is uniquely positioned as the only person talking to both Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Russian President Putin to facilitate the finalization of the deal.

Zelenskyy's Skepticism of Putin

• ❓ President Zelenskyy expressed doubt about Putin's desire for peace, noting that Putin's public messages do not indicate a focus on peace but rather a willingness to go further.
• 🇺🇦 While Zelenskyy may be forgiven for his skepticism after years of war, a successful Ukraine is argued to be in Russia's best interest.
• 🛡️ The U.S. can play a crucial role by providing security guarantees for Ukraine, focusing on defensive measures like missile defense and border security along the eastern line.

Iran's Declaration and Internal Struggles

• 📢 Iran's President declared a "full-scale war" with the U.S., Israel, and Europe, claiming they don't want Iran to remain stable.
• 📉 Victoria Coates suggests Iran's President is actually at war with Iran's own economy, which is in freefall with its currency hitting new lows and subsidies being cut.
• ⚠️ The problems in Iran are primarily internal, stemming from mismanagement, rather than external threats from the U.S. or Israel.
• 🤝 There is extraordinary coordination between the U.S. and Israel on Iran, and Iran would be better off addressing its internal issues than engaging in provocative rhetoric.

Gaza Conflict and Israeli Presence

• 🇵🇸 Israel's defense minister's statement about never leaving Gaza, which could violate Trump's peace plan, has been walked back, but a permanent military presence is still planned.
• 🚫 Israel cannot forgo security operations in Gaza after the October 7th attack and cannot risk another terrorist attack.
• humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, with many Palestinians living in tents.
• 🕊️ This situation could change if Hamas disarms, allowing for aid and rebuilding, placing the choice of future governance on the Palestinians in Gaza.