Axios

Editor's note: For the latest on the Trump peace plan for Ukraine, click here.

President Trump's 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine would force Kyiv to give up additional territory in the east, cap the size of its military, and agree it will never join NATO, according to a draft obtained by Axios and verified by a Ukrainian official, a U.S. official and a source familiar with the proposal.

Why it matters: The U.S. side is pushing Ukraine to make a deal on an "aggressive timeline." And despite the plan including proposals Ukraine has repeatedly rejected up to now, President Volodymyr Zelensky is not ruling it out.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is demanding answers from fast-fashion giant Shein over the possible sale o U.S. consumers of dolls "with a childlike appearance."

The big picture: The rare cross-party scrutiny piles onto years of criticism the Chinese-founded online retailer has faced over its environmental and labor practices and comes as it contends with new trade barriers to its sale of ultra-cheap goods.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll on Thursday that he's willing to work with the Trump administration on its new plan for peace in Ukraine, U.S. and Ukrainian officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: The plan calls on Ukraine to make enormous concessions, including handing over territory to Russia that Ukraine currently controls. But rather than reject it outright, Zelensky agreed to negotiate — and his office said he expects to discuss it with President Trump in the coming days.

President Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will meet at the White House on Friday, both sides confirmed on Wednesday night.

Why it matters: Trump and Mamdani have been critical of each other for months, and the president threatened to withhold federal funding for NYC if the democratic socialist won the mayoral election.

The next anti-Trump protest hitting Washington, D.C., will demand the president's impeachment and removal against a backdrop of live music and standup comedy.

Why it matters: This latest protest comes during a record-setting year for U.S. demonstrations amid growing discontent throughout the administration.

The head of Ukraine's largest private energy company says a recent U.S. liquefied natural gas shipment could help his country get through a tough winter — as long as Russian attacks don't cripple his ability to get power to customers.

Why it matters: Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, is racing to bring enough energy online for winter, in part by importing more from the U.S.

The new Trump plan to end the war in Ukraine would grant Russia parts of eastern Ukraine it does not currently control, in exchange for a U.S. security guarantee for Ukraine and Europe against future Russian aggression, a U.S. official with direct knowledge told Axios.

Why it matters: Ukraine and its backers would see that as an enormous concession to Russia. The White House view, according to the U.S. official, is that Ukraine is likely to lose the territory anyways if the war continues and "therefore it is in Ukraine's interest to reach a deal now."

The potential sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia has almost everybody worked up. Rightfully so.

Why it matters: Such a consequential deal — long whispered about, worth billions of dollars and to be fulfilled over many, many years — touches every corner of today's geopolitical and defense-tech zeitgeist.

The administration is hopeful Americans won't necessarily spend the $2,000 tariff checks President Trump has promised, and instead pump them into "Trump accounts" for kids, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says.

Why it matters: Amid a growing affordability crisis, the Trump administration is arguing inflation is under control and prices will come down soon — while also raising the prospect of pumping hundreds of billions into the economy.

Global warming is like a fever, says well-known climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe — even a small rise is serious.

Why it matters: Adapting to the warming already underway is a top focus at the United Nations climate talks underway now in Belém, Brazil.

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday backed the U.S. Roman Catholic bishops' rare statement criticizing the Trump administration's immigration and mass deportation policies and called on immigrants to be treated with "dignity."

The big picture: The Chicago-born pontiff told reporters the immigration message that the bishops delivered last week was "a very important statement" and "people of goodwill" should listen carefully to what they said.

President Trump said Tuesday evening that he has formally designated Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, aiming to deepen military cooperation between the two nations.

The big picture: The announcement follows Trump's meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (earlier on Tuesday, when MBS pledged to up Riyadh investments in the U.S. from $600 billion to $1 trillion.

Saudi Arabia committed to buying hundreds of U.S.-made tanks, part of a larger spending-and-security conversation between the two countries, the White House said.

Why it matters: It's a massive, long-term commitment — and one that appears to shrug off doubts regarding the tank's role on the battlefield of the future.

Update: Axios has now reported on details of the U.S. plan. Read that here.

The Trump administration has been secretly working in consultation with Russia to draft a new plan to end the war in Ukraine, U.S. and Russian officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: The 28-point U.S. plan is inspired by President Trump's successful push for a deal in Gaza. A top Russian official told Axios he's optimistic about the plan. It's not yet clear how Ukraine and its European backers will feel about it.