Donald Trump has reportedly told European leaders that he supports a plan to end the Ukraine-Russia war by ceding unconquered land to Russia.
This development marks a shift in Trump’s previous stance, which focused on an immediate ceasefire.
According to reports, Trump believes a peace deal can be swiftly negotiated “so long as Mr Zelenskyy agrees to cede the rest of the Donbas region to Russia, even those areas not occupied by Russian troops”.
The plan, as described by senior European officials, would involve Putin agreeing to a ceasefire across the rest of Ukraine at current battle lines.
Additionally, Putin has reportedly offered a written promise to not attack Ukraine or any other European country again.
Trump is set to discuss this plan with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday during Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House.
This potential peace plan has sparked concerns about the future of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Some pundits speculate that if Trump is re-elected, he might cut off aid to Ukraine and deal directly with Putin to impose a peace settlement that could involve significant territorial concessions.
The proposed land cession would likely have far-reaching implications for Ukraine, including the potential loss of strategic territories and the displacement of people living in those areas.
The Donbas region, which includes areas not currently occupied by Russian troops, holds significant economic and cultural importance for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy has consistently emphasized the importance of protecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and it remains to be seen how he will respond to Trump’s proposal.
As the situation unfolds, European leaders are closely watching the developments, aware that any peace deal would need to balance the competing interests of Ukraine, Russia, and the international community.
The upcoming talks between Trump and Zelenskyy will likely provide more insight into the feasibility and potential terms of the proposed peace plan.