Trump’s transition team outlines proposal to end war in Ukraine

Advisers to Donald Trump, elected as the next US president, are already formulating a strategy to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

The report by The Wall Street Journal notes that Trump had previously committed to finding a resolution by January 20, the date of his inauguration, per Caliber.Az.

Unlike President Joe Biden, who left the decision on when peace talks would begin in Ukraine, Trump's advisers advocate for freezing the front lines at their current positions. They also suggest postponing Ukraine's NATO membership, a key security demand from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

One proposal under discussion in Trump's transition team involves Ukraine agreeing not to join NATO for the next 20 years in exchange for continued military aid. Three sources close to Trump revealed this plan to The Wall Street Journal.

Under the plan, the front lines between Russia and Ukraine would be frozen, with a demilitarized zone of approximately 1,300 kilometres established. In this scenario, Ukraine would effectively cede 20% of its territory. However, it remains unclear who would oversee the demilitarized zone. Trump's team has ruled out the involvement of US military personnel or UN peacekeepers funded by the US.

"We can train the Ukrainian military and provide other support, but the military from Europe will be there," a member of Trump's team said. "We're not sending American men and women to keep the peace in Ukraine. And we're not going to pay for it. Make the Poles, the Germans, the British, and the French do it."

Earlier this year, former National Security Council members Keith Kellogg and Fred Fleitz, who served under Trump, proposed their own plan to "force peace" in the conflict. Their idea involves Ukraine negotiating with Russia under the threat of halting arms supplies, with a further escalation of support for Ukraine if Russia rejects a peace deal.

The Wall Street Journal notes that Trump's peace proposals may face opposition both from Russia and within Europe, as they could be seen as a threat to regional security. Ukrainian public opinion could also complicate Zelensky's willingness to accept such a plan.

In the US presidential election, Trump won a decisive victory, securing 277 electoral votes — more than the 270 needed to win. Throughout his campaign, Trump vowed to bring the conflict in Ukraine to an end and broker a peace agreement. In his first speech after his preliminary victory, he reiterated his goal of resolving the war.

By Tamilla Hasanova