German media: Trump punishes Ukraine for being attacked by Russia

From the Deutsche Welle:

"German media on the "peace plan": Ukraine is being punished for the Russian attack 

Danil Bilyk, November 21, 2025 

The plan to end the war in Ukraine, prepared by the US administration, is reminiscent of the appeasement policy before World War II. Its implementation would mean Ukraine's capitulation, German media report. DW Review 

The plan for settling the war in Ukraine, prepared by the administration of US President Donald Trump jointly with Russian negotiators, is partly reminiscent of the 1938 appeasement policy and partly reminiscent of the Treaty of Versailles, with the difference that now the victim of an attack, not the aggressor, is required to renounce territory and weapons, German newspapers report. Implementing Trump's plan would mean Ukraine's capitulation and the destruction of peace and security in Europe, journalists note.

Der Tagesspiegel: The situation is reminiscent of the appeasement policy of 1938

The Berlin newspaper Tagesspiegel draws historical parallels with the situation on the eve of World War II. "Now (the situation. - Ed.) is becoming dangerous: for Ukraine, but also for Germany and Europe. Confidants (of the US and Russian presidents. - Ed.) Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have reportedly developed a 28-point plan for how the war in Ukraine should end. Ukraine did not participate, and neither did Europe. Ukraine must give up territory - even more than Putin's troops occupied, in particular the Ukrainian defensive line, which is currently preventing a Russian offensive on Kyiv. Ukraine is to be allowed to have only a limited army, and weapons systems that could deter Moscow are to be banned. In short, Trump's plan means the capitulation of Ukraine. The situation is reminiscent of the appeasement policy pursued by British Prime Minister Chamberlain in Munich in 1938. To appease Hitler, he went along with the partition of Czechoslovakia. The great war began a year later."  

FAZ: Trump's guarantees will be worth something when he deploys American soldiers to Ukraine 

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) also touches on history and compares the Trump-Putin peace plan proposal to the Treaty of Versailles. The difference is that back then, the aggressor—Germany—was required to give up territory and weapons, while now it's Ukraine, the victim of the attack, that is being asked to do so. 

 "They are being punished with conditions unbearable for a sovereign country for Russia launching an aggressive war against their country, in violation of international law. Meanwhile, Moscow is being encouraged by the conquest of territory and the prospect of forcing the rest of Ukraine under its yoke. After all, weakened and demoralized, it will be unable to repel a second invasion by the Russian army, which is arming itself on a massive scale. But shouldn't the Ukrainians receive (as yet unknown) American security guarantees as compensation for their defenselessness? They already existed – in the Budapest Memorandum, in which even Moscow promised to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and borders. Trump's guarantees will only be worth anything when he deploys American soldiers to Ukraine. But for now, he categorically rules that out. 

Die Süddeutsche Zeitung: Ukraine's Capitulation on the Terms Desired by the Aggressor 

 A columnist for the Munich newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) believes that US President Donald Trump's policy toward Ukraine can only be "endured" with "humor or its evil little brother—sarcasm." 

"Trump's proposals supposedly consist of 28 points. But overall, just one would be enough. Then the document would look like this: at the top, the heading would read 'Peace Plan,' underneath: 'Point 1: Ukraine Capitulates.' And at the bottom: 'Signatories: Donald J. Trump, President of the United States; Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation." Because in practice, this is what it will result in – Ukraine's capitulation on the terms desired by the aggressor, forced through by two egomaniac rulers armed with nuclear weapons; behind the backs of the people who were attacked and who have been fighting for almost four years to avoid precisely this outcome. And behind the backs of the Europeans, who were caught off guard by what their supposed ally in Washington agreed to, and whose own security directly depends on the fate of Ukraine." 

Die Tageszeitung: An assault against Ukraine is prepared using diplomatic weapons as well

Another Berlin newspaper, die tageszeitung (taz), notes that the news of the American peace plan comes at a time when Ukraine is experiencing a "deep domestic political crisis," the military situation is "deteriorating before our eyes," and Russia is constantly shelling critical infrastructure. 

"It's at this moment that Washington once again takes center stage in its now-familiar, erratic manner. While Republicans are pushing legislation aimed at imposing sanctions on countries that buy oil and gas from Russia, a controversial "peace plan" suddenly emerges. It's supposedly the result of negotiations between Americans and Russians. What exactly it contains remains unclear, but one thing is clear: if Kyiv agrees to it (or is forced to agree), it will be tantamount to capitulation, and Moscow will then achieve its maximum demands. The fact that this initiative has emerged now is no coincidence. Rather, it gives reason to believe that they are preparing Ukraine for an assault, also using diplomatic weapons." 

Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger: Europe Has No Right to Crack Under Trump's Diktat 

The Cologne-based newspaper Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (KStA) specifically emphasizes the danger the US-Russian plan poses for Europe. "This 'plan,' negotiated without the participation of the Ukrainian leadership and Europeans, is almost 100 percent in line with Putin's demands. A free part of Ukraine would effectively become a Russian vassal state, with Trump's blessing. Zelenskyy is under pressure, in part due to a corruption scandal. The Ukrainian population is exhausted by Russian bombing terror and is war-weary. So are the Europeans. But if European states do not want the peace and security order in Europe to collapse completely, they have no right to cave in to Trump's diktat. Putin has long been arming himself for a major war against Europe. Without Ukrainian resistance, Europe currently has little power to counter him." "