Zelensky faces a deadline from Trump, Iran to move its capital – Weekend

The military balance in the Middle East is shifting. Saudi Arabia will soon acquire fighter jets that until now were only available to Israel.

The relocation of Iran’s capital from Tehran has become a mandatory measure, reportedly driven by severe drought conditions across the country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing a difficult decision. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has developed a peace plan for Ukraine and has given Zelensky until November 27 to accept it.

This week, QALAMPIR.UZ’s Weekend program reviews this and other major global events in detail.

Challenging choice

Ukraine is confronted with a difficult choice: either risk losing its dignity or its key ally.

Earlier, it was reported that special envoys from the United States and Russia, Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, were working on a new peace plan for Ukraine. Details of a 28-point agreement began to surface in the press this week.

According to the initiative, known as Trump’s peace plan, Ukraine would be obliged to grant certain concessions to Russia. Clause 2 of the plan stipulates that Ukraine, Russia, and the European Union sign a comprehensive non-aggression agreement, resolving all disputes from the past 30 years.

Additionally, Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk would be recognized de facto as Russian territories, while Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be divided between Ukraine and Russia along the current front line. Both nations would commit not to change borders by force in the future. NATO forces would not be deployed in Ukrainian territory.

Under the plan, the United States and Europe would provide funds for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Russia’s $100 billion in frozen assets would also be allocated for this purpose. International sanctions on Russia would be gradually lifted, and a long-term economic cooperation agreement between Moscow and Washington would be established.

The peace plan also includes security guarantees for Ukraine, designed in accordance with NATO’s Article 5. These guarantees would compel the U.S. and its European allies to treat any attack on Ukraine as an attack on the entire transatlantic community.

Upon signing the peace agreement, a ceasefire would take effect, and a prisoner exchange in an “all-for-all” format would take place. A “peace council” led by Donald Trump would oversee implementation.

At a November 20 briefing at the U.N. Security Council in New York, Ukraine’s deputy permanent representative, Kristina Gayovishin, confirmed that Kyiv was ready to discuss Trump’s plan, but stressed that Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty is not negotiable.

President Zelensky addressed the Ukrainian people, acknowledging the difficult choice ahead. His statement reflects Washington’s warning that if the peace agreement is not signed by November 27, the U.S. could halt military and intelligence support for Ukraine.

“We are standing at one of the most difficult moments in our history. Ukraine faces a grave choice: to lose our dignity or to lose a key ally. The options are either the challenging 28-point peace plan or a harsh winter. We are being asked to trust those who have already attacked us twice, and they are waiting for a response. We act calmly with the U.S. and our partners, but we act quickly, and we will not give the enemy reason to say that Ukraine does not want peace. I am fighting to ensure that the plan respects the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians. We will do everything to end the war, but not at the expense of Ukraine, Europe, or global peace.

For nearly four years, we have held one of the world’s largest armies. Our people want the war to end. We are strong, but even the strongest steel can break. From day one, we did not run from the fight. This is about dignity, freedom. The most terrible thing for Russia is the unity of Ukrainians. We need proper peace now more than ever. People, citizens, politicians – we must unite, stop conflicts and political games. Knowing that the people of Ukraine are behind me makes achieving just peace easier.

Next week will be difficult. There will be great pressure to divide us. The enemy will do everything to prevent us from achieving anything. We have no right to let that happen. We must unite for our peace, dignity, and freedom. I am confident I am not alone,” he said.

On November 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a Security Council meeting that Moscow is also prepared for peace negotiations. He added that Russia believes the plan could form the basis for peace but noted that the U.S. is not discussing it directly with Russia.

“Russia has always said it is ready for peace talks. However, all details of the proposals must be discussed in practice. Russia is ready for this,” Putin concluded.

Europe, meanwhile, is approaching Trump’s plan cautiously. During the G20 summit in South Africa, held without U.S. participation, leaders discussed the initiative.

The upcoming week is expected to be crucial for Ukraine. It remains to be seen whether Zelensky will accept Trump’s terms by the deadline or whether Trump will, as with Putin, extend the deadline as a diplomatic gesture.

U.S.–Saudi alliance: A new status

On November 18, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman visited the White House for the first time in seven years. Trump welcomed him with a formal banquet. Football star Cristiano Ronaldo was among the guests. Trump also held a private meeting with Ronaldo and his future spouse.

During the visit, the crown prince announced plans to increase his country’s investments in the U.S. from $600 billion to $1 trillion, although he did not provide details or timelines.

The next day, at the U.S.–Saudi Arabia Investment Forum, Trump said he had proposed raising investments to $1.5 trillion. He did not reveal the crown prince’s response but expressed hope that progress would be made.

Trump also designated Saudi Arabia as the U.S.’s “major non-NATO ally,” granting military and economic privileges without committing to direct security obligations.

The White House confirmed that it approved the delivery of F-35 fighter jets and that Saudi Arabia agreed to purchase 300 U.S. tanks. This marks the first time the U.S. has supplied such advanced aircraft to Riyadh, a move that could shift the military balance in the Middle East and challenge U.S. policy aimed at maintaining Israel’s qualitative edge. Until now, Israel was the only regional country with F-35s.

Mamdani at the White House

Another notable meeting at the White House this week involved two politicians who had publicly criticized each other on social media for months. In a display of cordiality in front of reporters, New York’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, and former U.S. President Donald Trump met. Previously, Mamdani had labeled Trump a fascist, while Trump had called Mamdani a communist.

After the November 21 meeting, both leaders expressed a shared goal: the success of their city. When journalists asked Mamdani if he still considered Trump a fascist, Trump held Mamdani’s hand and told him, “Say yes, it’s easier than explaining.” Mamdan responded without hesitation.

This unexpected cooperation between former adversaries demonstrates how quickly political dynamics can change.

Iran’s capital to move

The plan to relocate Iran’s capital from Tehran has evolved rapidly in just a few weeks. Initially, officials announced that the matter had been removed from the agenda, but soon after, President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that the move had become a mandatory measure.

“Given the current situation, we have no other option. Moving the capital is a compulsory measure. If the land is sinking by 30 centimeters per year, it is a disaster,” he said.

Pezeshkian described the situation as a “national catastrophe” and emphasized the need for daily discussion of ecological issues among the public, officials, and scientific circles. According to the National Meteorological Forecast Center under Iran’s meteorology organization, rainfall across the country has dropped nearly 89 percent below the long-term average. This autumn marked the driest season in Iran in the past 50 years.

Earlier in November, reports suggested that Tehran could run out of drinking water within two weeks. Pezeshkian acknowledged the possibility of evacuating the capital’s 15 million residents. Iranian officials also reported that cloud-seeding technologies had been deployed to artificially induce rainfall. Official statements regarding the government’s next steps and the new capital’s location are expected soon.