A Big Day for News – February 22, 2025
Today is Saturday, February 22, 2025. Big things are happening in the world! The United States is asking everyone to support a simple plan to fix the war in Ukraine. At the same time, President Donald Trump is saying something surprising. He wants Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Russia’s leader, Vladimir Putin, to sit down and talk. Let’s break this down step by step so it’s super easy to understand!
What’s Happening with the War?
The war between Ukraine and Russia has been going on for three years. It started when Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022. Many people have been hurt, and towns have been broken. The US has been helping Ukraine a lot with money and weapons. But now, things are changing fast.
The US came up with a short and easy plan at the United Nations (UN). They want everyone to agree to it. This plan is only 65 words long! It’s so simple that even kids could read it. But here’s the tricky part: it doesn’t say anything bad about Russia. It doesn’t call Russia the “bad guy” or talk about the land Russia took from Ukraine.
Why Is This Plan So Simple?
The US says this plan is historic. They think it can stop the fighting. But some people are confused. Why doesn’t it blame Russia? Well, President Trump has a different idea. He doesn’t want to make Russia mad right now. He’s been talking to Putin and wants peace fast. So, the US made a plan that’s gentle and doesn’t point fingers.
Other countries, like Ukraine and Europe, have their own plans too. Their plans are tougher on Russia. They say Russia is wrong and should give back Ukraine’s land. But Trump doesn’t like those ideas. He’s trying to take charge and do things his way.
Trump’s Big Idea: Putin and Zelensky Talking
Here’s where it gets exciting! Trump said something bold on Friday. He thinks Zelensky and Putin should meet and talk. He said they need to “get together” to stop the war. This is a huge change! Before, Trump was tough on Zelensky. He even called him a “dictator” and said Ukraine started the war (which isn’t true—Russia did).
Now, Trump sounds softer. He says he’s had good talks with Putin. He also said talks with Zelensky weren’t so great. But he believes both leaders can fix things if they chat. This surprises a lot of people because Trump usually likes Putin more than Zelensky.
Why Is Zelensky Upset?
Zelensky, Ukraine’s leader, isn’t happy. Earlier this week, he got mad. Why? The US and Russia had a big meeting in Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine wasn’t invited! Zelensky said that’s not fair. He thinks Ukraine should be part of every talk about the war. After all, it’s his country fighting!
Trump didn’t like Zelensky complaining. He got angry and said mean things. He called Zelensky a “dictator without elections.” He also said Zelensky has “no cards” to play in talks. But then, Trump changed his tune. On Friday, he said Zelensky should join Putin to make peace. It’s like a rollercoaster of ideas!
What Does Zelensky Want?
Zelensky has his own wishes. He hopes for a fair result. He doesn’t want Ukraine to lose everything. Earlier this week, Trump tried to make a deal. He asked Ukraine to give the US half of its special minerals (worth $500 billion!) as a thank-you for help. But Zelensky said no. He called it “not serious” because it didn’t promise to keep Ukraine safe.
Zelensky also wants Europe to help decide things. He talked to the UK’s leader, Keir Starmer, and said Europe must be at the table. He doesn’t trust Trump to fix this alone with Russia.
Trump’s Words on TV
Trump loves to talk! On Friday, he went on Fox News. He said it’s “not very important” for Zelensky to be at US-Russia talks. That shocked some people! He also said Putin attacked, but “they shouldn’t have let him.” Trump wouldn’t blame Putin fully. He thinks Putin has no pressure to stop the war.
Later, Trump said something different. He told reporters that Zelensky and Putin “will have to get together.” He believes they can end the fighting. It’s like Trump can’t make up his mind!
What Do Other Countries Think?
Not everyone likes Trump’s ideas. Ukraine and its friends in Europe are worried. They think Trump might give Putin too much. More than half of Ukraine’s special minerals are in places Russia controls. If Trump makes a deal, Ukraine could lose them forever.
The US plan at the UN is also tricky. Some countries might say no because it’s too soft on Russia. Ukraine and Europe want a stronger plan that protects Ukraine’s land and people.
A Fight Between Trump and Zelensky
This week was wild! Trump and Zelensky have been arguing a lot. First, Zelensky said Trump lives in a “disinformation bubble.” That means he thinks Trump believes Russia’s lies. Trump got mad and called Zelensky a “dictator.” He even said Ukraine started the war (which, again, isn’t true).
But on Friday, Trump calmed down. He stopped attacking Zelensky so much. Instead, he said both leaders need to talk. It’s like they’re in a big fight, but now Trump wants them to shake hands.
What’s Next for Peace?
So, what happens now? The US is pushing its simple plan at the UN. Trump hopes Putin and Zelensky will meet soon. But it’s not clear if they will. Putin said this week that he’s okay with talking. He even said Ukraine won’t be left out. That’s good news for Zelensky!
Still, it’s a messy situation. Zelensky wants safety for Ukraine. Trump wants a quick fix. Europe wants to help decide. And Putin? He’s happy to talk as long as he gets something big.
Why Does This Matter to Us?
You might wonder, “Why should I care?” Well, this war affects the whole world! It makes food and gas more expensive. It’s sad for people in Ukraine too. If Trump’s plan works, the fighting could stop. That would be awesome! But if it fails, the war might get worse.
Kids like you can understand this: it’s about making peace so everyone can be happy. The US, Russia, and Ukraine are like friends trying to stop a big argument. Let’s hope they figure it out soon!
Wrapping It Up
Today’s news is exciting and a little confusing. The US wants a simple fix for the Ukraine war. Trump thinks Putin and Zelensky should talk it out. Zelensky wants fairness and safety. Everyone’s watching to see what happens next.
What do you think? Should Zelensky trust Trump? Will Putin agree to peace? It’s like a big puzzle, and we’re all waiting for the pieces to fit. Stay tuned for more updates—it’s going to be a wild ride!