Trump expected to outline Ukraine peace proposal: Polish PM
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Trump's strategy is likely to involve "less US interference in Ukrainian affairs," with expectations that European nations may assume a larger role in maintaining peace, the Polish Prime Minister said.
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Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk listens to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a news conference in the Serbia Palace in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, October 24, 2024. (AP)
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed on Sunday that US President-elect Donald Trump is expected to soon announce a peace plan for Ukraine that may include a ceasefire timeline and security guarantees for Kiev.
Tusk's comments, made during an interview with Polskie Radio, point to expectations that Trump's proposal could mark a shift toward a "new political landscape" in Europe following his election.
While Trump previously promised to end the Ukraine conflict within "24 hours," Tusk explained that the anticipated proposal would likely offer specific steps to advance peace.
"We expect the US president-elect to make public certain key elements in the near future, such as a timeline for a potential ceasefire, the line along which it would take effect, as well as security guarantees for Ukraine," Tusk stated.
Trump reiterated his approach recently, suggesting that he would urge Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate. "No more. You got to make a deal," Trump reportedly told US media.
Tusk noted, however, that Trump's strategy is likely to involve "less US interference in Ukrainian affairs," with expectations that European nations may assume a larger role in maintaining peace.
Freeze the conflict
Reports from the Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous sources, suggest that Trump's team is exploring options to "freeze" the conflict along current front lines.
The proposal could include establishing a demilitarized zone along the front line, with European forces — rather than American troops — enforcing the peace.
"These will definitely be solutions that will involve less US interference in Ukrainian affairs," Tusk explained.
In response to the anticipated US stance, Tusk announced plans to meet with European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to discuss the region's readiness for this new approach.
"Europe faces a serious challenge," Tusk said, "in the context of a possible end to the Russian-Ukrainian war. Nobody wants the conflict to escalate, but at the same time, nobody wants Ukraine to weaken or even capitulate."
Read more: Kremlin downplays Trump win's impact on US-Russia relations
According to WSJ, some of Trump's advisors have proposed delaying Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations for as long as 20 years, focusing instead on immediate security and stability measures.
An unnamed Trump advisor was quoted saying that this plan would ensure peacekeeping "by European nations rather than US-funded international organizations."
As the plan takes shape, Tusk's conveyed hopes "for a peaceful solution," he said, "but the specifics of this new political landscape demand caution and resilience on the part of Europe."
