In a striking show of alignment between Washington and NATO leadership, Secretary General Mark Rutte publicly praised U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday for injecting what he called “enormous renewed energy” into efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The comments, delivered during Rutte’s visit to Iceland, signal a major diplomatic endorsement of the White House’s latest peace initiative — even as details of the plan remain shrouded in secrecy.
According to AFP, Rutte used his stop in Reykjavík to highlight the momentum he sees building around Trump’s push for negotiations. “There is enormous renewed energy in the peace process, and for that I want to thank President Trump,” Rutte told reporters after meeting Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir.
A Peace Plan Under Heavy Revision — But Still Unpublished
The original 28-point U.S. peace plan, unveiled by Trump’s administration last week, has reportedly undergone extensive revisions since its initial presentation. Despite widespread global anticipation, Washington has not yet released the updated version publicly.
What is known, however, is that the plan has already begun reshaping diplomatic conversations in Kyiv, Moscow, and across Europe.
Mixed Reactions From Moscow and Kyiv
The Kremlin responded cautiously, saying it viewed some elements of the revised plan as “positive,” but insisted that other points require further negotiation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the other hand, reacted far more warmly. He said the “principles” of the updated proposal could pave the way for “deeper agreements”, signaling tentative optimism in Kyiv.
Diplomatic analysts say the contrasting reactions reflect the difficult balance Washington must strike: creating a plan acceptable to both sides while avoiding concessions that could fracture NATO unity.
U.S. Envoy to Meet Putin in Moscow
Adding to the intrigue, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Moscow next week for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting is expected to focus on the latest iteration of the peace proposal and the roadmap for potential negotiations.
Witkoff’s involvement underscores Washington’s desire to engage both sides at the highest levels — an approach that has stirred cautious optimism among allies and skepticism among critics who fear premature concessions.
Rutte Highlights New Momentum
Rutte’s endorsement is especially significant given NATO’s central role in coordinating Western support for Ukraine. His remarks suggest that key allies are increasingly open to exploring Trump’s diplomatic pathway, particularly if it leads to a sustainable ceasefire without compromising Ukrainian sovereignty.
As the war nears another brutal winter, global pressure is mounting for meaningful talks. Whether Trump’s evolving peace plan can translate “renewed energy” into real progress remains the defining question.