Trump advisors float plan to halt Kiev's NATO bid, cede land to Russia
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Russia already controls Crimea, annexed in 2014, as well as significant portions of eastern and southern Ukraine, including 80% of the Donbass and over 70% of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
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Former President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky at Trump Tower, on Friday, September 27, 2024, in New York. (AP)
Advisors to US President-elect Donald Trump are proposing peace plans for the Ukraine war that could involve significant territorial concessions to Russia, signaling a potentially dramatic shift in US policy.
According to interviews and statements analyzed by Reuters, the proposals suggest suspending Ukraine's NATO aspirations and leveraging US military aid to force both sides into negotiations.
Among the key figures crafting these proposals is retired Army Lieutenant-General Keith Kellogg, Trump's incoming Russia-Ukraine envoy.
Kellogg's plan, co-authored with Fred Fleitz, recommends freezing current battle lines and tying US military aid to Ukraine's willingness to negotiate. It also proposes enhanced US security guarantees for Ukraine if a peace deal is struck.
Other advisors, such as Vice President-elect JD Vance and former acting intelligence chief Richard Grenell, have floated alternative approaches, including demilitarized zones and the creation of "autonomous regions" in eastern Ukraine.
All plans appear to prioritize halting Ukraine's NATO membership ambitions—a key demand of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Read more: Trump's Ukraine envoy proposes cutting weapons to force peace talks
Trump's Bold Promises Face Skepticism
Trump campaigned on a pledge to end the nearly three-year-old conflict within 24 hours of his January 20 inauguration. However, analysts question the feasibility of this timeline given the complexity of the conflict.
"Putin is in no hurry," said Eugene Rumer, a former top US intelligence analyst on Russia, adding that the Russian President likely sees more to gain by biding his time and advancing his positions further.
Russia already controls Crimea, annexed in 2014, as well as significant portions of eastern and southern Ukraine, including 80% of the Donbas and over 70% of Zaporozhye and Kherson.
Ukrainian Resistance and European Pushback
While facing manpower shortages and territorial losses, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed openness to diplomatic solutions.
However, he remains adamant about regaining occupied territories and securing a NATO invitation as part of Ukraine's "Victory Plan." European allies and some US lawmakers may also resist proposals perceived as appeasing Russian operations.
The Kellogg plan, in particular, could encounter resistance in Congress, where some Trump-aligned lawmakers oppose further military aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden continues to back Kiev with arms, complicating Trump's leverage.
Read more: NATO chief cautions Trump over Ukraine deal in Russia's favor: FT
