Professor Snyder argued that Trump's plan sets the stage for a new nuclear arms race.

16:14, Sun, Nov 23, 2025 Updated: 16:20, Sun, Nov 23, 2025

WW3

The US tested a nuclear weapon in the Nevada desert in 1953 (Image: Getty)

Donald Trump's peace plan for Ukraine will lead to a nuclear World War 3, a leading US academic has warned. The White House revealed its bombshell 28-point plan last week, which has provoked outrage across Nato member states.

Under the terms of the deal, Ukraine will have to cede territory it still holds in Donetsk, as well as slash its army in half. Kyiv will also be barred from joining NATO and have to make cultural concessions to Russia. The plan has been described as a "surrender deal" and as amounting to "capitulation".

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DONALD TRUMP

Donald Trump with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House (Image: Getty)

Some defence experts claim the plan was written by Russia, a charge strenuously denied by the Trump administration.

Timothy Snyder is a leading US historian on the former Soviet Union, and has written many books about Ukraine. He visits the war torn country on a regular basis, as part of his ongoing research into the Russian invasion.

In a video post to his Substack page, professor Snyder argued that Trump's plan sets the stage for a new nuclear arms race that could ultimately lead to a catastrophic war.

"I felt I needed to say a few words about this Russian settlement that's being promoted now by the White House," he began.

"There are at least five fundamental things that are wrong with this idea as it is now framed.

"The first is that it makes nuclear war a lot more likely. If you force Ukraine to accept terms which amount to defeat and capitulation then the rest of the world draws a conclusion.

"That conclusion is you have to build nuclear weapons to hold off a Russian invasion or a Chinese invasion or an invasion of somebody who has nuclear weapons.

"Forcing Ukraine to capitulate means nuclear proliferation - nuclear proliferation means an increased risk of nuclear war around the world.

"You are not creating peace if you bring about a nuclear third world war."

His remarks come as the US President lashed out at Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming Ukraine's leadership had "zero gratitude" for American peace efforts.