Trump team in quiet talks: Ukraine peace bid lacks clarity

In recent days, Donald Trump's team of advisers has been conducting discussions with the White House administration and representatives from Ukraine regarding the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. However, these talks have not yet produced specific results or a logistical plan.

Among those reportedly discussing ways to end the war in Ukraine were National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan with his successor Mike Waltz, and the head of the Ukrainian president's office Andriy Yermak with Keith Kellogg, appointed by Donald Trump as a special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Vice President-elect JD Vance, who has been critical of aid to Ukraine as a senator, was reportedly included in this last meeting.

Like Vance, Kellogg advocates for a ceasefire along the current front line and excluding Ukraine's membership in NATO for at least the next decade.

- The atmosphere thus far in terms of the engagement between the Ukrainians and the incoming Trump team, including Zelenskyy and Trump himself, has been positive – said one NBC source.

According to NBC information, representatives of Trump's team, in talks with European officials, clearly emphasise that they do not wish to offer Ukraine security guarantees within NATO, suggesting that these guarantees should primarily come from European countries, perhaps in the form of sending their forces to Ukraine, although it remains unclear what role they would play and which countries might participate in such a mission. The additional arming of Ukraine is also under consideration.

Representatives of the Biden administration, who had contemplated inviting Ukraine to NATO before the elections but abandoned these plans in light of Trump's victory, believe excluding NATO membership would be a significant mistake and "a great achievement" for Putin.

Proposals from Trump's team for resolving the war focus on maintaining the current status quo, which means leaving large parts of Ukraine under Russian control and excluding it from NATO membership. This perspective raises both fears and hopes for stabilisation, although a lack of political consensus may prevent an agreement for a long time.

Trump's stance receives criticism from both experts and Ukrainians themselves. The absence of decisive support for Ukraine and reluctance to involve European allies in the context of security guarantees could lead to continued uncertainty and prolongation of the conflict.

One of the key topics of discussion is the future of Ukraine's NATO membership. In talks with European representatives, Trump's team ruled out the possibility of Ukraine joining the Alliance in the near future. This approach raises concerns about the future security of the region.