WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump on Tuesday touted progress in talks to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine, an Eastern Washington lawmaker said any peace deal must protect U.S. interests in the region and include the return of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia.

Rep. Michael Baumgartner, R-Spokane, said in an interview that he had concerns with the initial proposal first reported by Axios on Nov. 19, a 28-point plan that largely reflected Russia’s demands, including Ukraine giving up parts of its territory that Russia has seized since launching a full-scale invasion in 2022. With the negotiations ongoing, the congressman complimented Trump’s diplomatic approach and emphasized that an agreement to end the war should ensure that Ukraine can defend itself from future Russian a

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