Up First (NPR) - Episode Summary

Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Steve Inskeep, Michelle Martin
Top Stories: Ukraine Peace Negotiations, Trump's Ukraine Motivations, Holiday Travel

Episode Overview

This Up First episode covers the unfolding controversy around President Trump’s proposed Ukraine-Russia peace plan, the motivations and strategies behind Trump’s push for a deal, and the outlook for Thanksgiving holiday travel in the United States. The episode features reporting from NPR correspondents and experts, offering an inside look at the dynamics in Kyiv and Washington, as well as practical guidance for travelers heading to airports during one of the year's busiest periods.

1. Ukraine Peace Negotiations

Main Discussion & Insights

• A leaked transcript has surfaced, revealing details about the origins and development of President Trump’s 28-point peace proposal for Russia and Ukraine ([00:02]).
• Trump has dispatched special envoys to Moscow and Kyiv with the aim of brokering a deal, sticking firmly to his campaign promise of ending the war quickly.
• The leak, as reported by Bloomberg (not independently confirmed by NPR), suggests Trump’s team may have encouraged Russia to praise Trump publicly and "manage" him for diplomatic advantage ([02:17]).
• The 28-point peace plan was initially viewed as heavily favoring Russia, leading to criticism from Ukrainian officials and calls for revisions ([02:51], [03:55]).

Ukrainian Perspective

• Oleksandr Morezhko, Chair of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed skepticism about Trump’s team, particularly envoy Steve Witkoff:
  • "We know that we're dealing with people in the entourage of President Trump who take pro Russian position, unfortunately, and we knew it long before that. But we have to deal with the team of President Trump no matter who they are." – Morezhko ([04:17])
• Morezhko maintains that Ukraine will engage with whomever represents the U.S. but prefers someone more qualified than Witkoff.

Russian Perspective

• Dmitriev, a top Russian advisor, is quoted as saying:
  • "I don't think they'll take exactly our version, but at least it'll be as close to it as possible." ([03:15])
• Russian officials have dismissed the leaks as fake or as attempts to hinder U.S.-Russia relations ([05:27]).

White House & U.S. Position

• Trump characterized the leak as standard negotiating tactics and did not address growing concerns about possible pro-Russian sympathies among his team:
  • "I haven't heard it, but I heard it was standard negotiation." – Trump ([04:40])
• Trump is said to be highly motivated to achieve a deal for legacy purposes, showing more interest in finalizing a peace agreement than in its content ([07:53]).

2. Trump’s Ukraine Motivations

Key Points & Analysis

• White House correspondent Franco Ordonez notes that the administration has shifted the peace plan back and forth between Russian and Ukrainian preferences ([06:13]).
• There is skepticism that U.S. mediation can succeed when Ukraine and Russia fundamentally disagree on key issues.
  • As Ivo Daalder (former U.S. Ambassador to NATO) explained:
    • "The problem is Ukraine and Russia don't agree. So you can come up with any plan that the US and Russia can agree on, and any plan that the US and Ukraine can agree on. That's not the same as having a plan that Ukraine and Russia can agree on, and that's their problem." ([07:06])
• Trump backed off a Thanksgiving deadline to end the war, indicating his determination to reach a deal, regardless of specifics ([07:35]).
• Richard Fontaine (Center for a New American Security) highlights Trump's focus on securing a peace deal above all else:
  • "Trump clearly wants a deal. I don't know that the content of the deal matters all that much to him. As long as it stops the fight." ([07:53])

Motivation & Legacy

• Trump’s repeated references to his previous peace deals and his aspiration for a Nobel Peace Prize come up as possible motivators, as Franco Ordonez points out ([08:42]).
• Analysts agree that while Trump talks about humanitarian concerns, his drive for recognition is a strong factor.

3. Holiday Travel Outlook

Trends & Advice

• The FAA forecasts the busiest Thanksgiving in over 15 years, with over 52,000 flights on peak days ([09:32]).
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy leads a new "civility campaign" urging travelers to act respectfully and responsibly.
  • "It's my responsibility to behave well. I can't offload that to anybody else." – Secretary Duffy ([09:43])
• The Department of Transportation's campaign encourages better treatment of airline staff and fellow passengers but faces criticism for shifting the burden of civility entirely onto travelers rather than airlines ([10:19]).
• Airlines and airports are prepared, with air traffic control staffing back to pre-shutdown levels. Despite staffing struggles during the recent government shutdown, flight reductions have been lifted ([11:49]).

Air Traffic Controller Morale

• Only 311 out of 10,000+ air traffic controllers will receive a $10,000 bonus for their work during the shutdown, causing some resentment among those not selected ([12:16]).

Notable Quote: - "The administration's critics note that this campaign is putting a lot of pressure on passengers while seemingly letting airlines off the hook for their part in making flying less civil." – Joel Rose ([10:19])

Travel Volume

• About 6 million people are expected to fly in the week around Thanksgiving, though actual numbers may be slightly lower due to recent scheduling disruptions.

4. Selected Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "We know that we're dealing with people in the entourage of President Trump who take pro Russian position, unfortunately, and we knew it long before that." – Oleksandr Morezhko ([04:17])
• "I haven't heard it, but I heard it was standard negotiation." – President Trump ([04:40])
• "That's not the same as having a plan that Ukraine and Russia can agree on, and that's their problem." – Ivo Daalder ([07:06])
• "Trump clearly wants a deal. I don't know that the content of the deal matters all that much to him. As long as it stops the fight." – Richard Fontaine ([07:53])
• "It's my responsibility to behave well. I can't offload that to anybody else." – Secretary Sean Duffy ([09:43])

5. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02–02:17: Origins and details of Trump's Ukraine-Russia peace plan leak
• 02:42–05:39: Reactions from Kyiv and Moscow; expert commentary
• 05:40–09:16: White House motivation, negotiation strategies, Trump’s aspirations
• 09:26–13:00: Thanksgiving travel surge, government shutdown impact, DOT’s civility campaign
• 12:16–12:47: Air traffic controller morale and bonuses

Summary Takeaway

This episode gives listeners a nuanced understanding of the latest twists in Ukraine peace negotiations, delves into the motivations behind Trump's diplomatic efforts, and provides timely advice and analysis on what to expect for Thanksgiving travel. Drawing on expert voices and on-the-ground reporting, Up First delivers context, key insights, and memorable quotes for anyone who wants to stay informed on the day’s most pressing developments.