Trump's plan for peace in Ukraine: Europe to lead ceasefire
Advisors in President-elect Donald Trump's circle are advocating for the implementation of a plan to "freeze" the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as reported by the American "Newsweek." The plan also proposes the establishment of a demilitarised zone over 1,200 kilometres long, to be overseen by European forces, according to the "Wall Street Journal."
"Newsweek" also recalled Trump's earlier promises, where he repeatedly stated that he could resolve the conflict in Ukraine within a single day, although he did not specify how he would accomplish this.
In early November, "WSJ" reported that Trump's team is suggesting the maintenance of Russian occupation of over 20% of Ukraine's territory, alongside the creation of a demilitarised zone stretching over 1,200 kilometres and imposing a 20-year block on Ukraine's attempts to join NATO.
This information was confirmed by the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, who stated on 9th November that Europe would take responsibility for securing the eastern flank and this demilitarised zone.
"We are not sending American men and women to uphold peace in Ukraine. And we are not paying for it. Get the Poles, Germans, British, and French to do it," – said a member of Trump's team, quoted by "WSJ," who remained anonymous. "We can do training and other support but the barrel of the gun is going to be European," – they added.
"Newsweek" also quoted Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, who remarked that a "peaceful settlement" means that "the current line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine, that becomes like a demilitarized zone."
Kyiv is unlikely to agree
American strategist and former advisor to the commander-in-chief of Ukrainian forces, Dan Rice, stressed in an interview with the weekly that "Kyiv was very unlikely to accept a short-term ceasefire, but that significant European forces along the Russian border with Ukraine were needed to stop Russia attempting to seize territory."
Meanwhile, analyst Karolina Hird from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) mentioned to Newsweek that the demilitarised zone would be on Putin's terms, and he would "simply use that as the front line for the next invasion of Ukraine in five, 10, 15 years, after his army has rested and reconstituted and institutionalized the lessons it is learning in Ukraine."
According to Hird, the zone would "almost legitimise the occupation" of parts of Ukraine, thus reinforcing the Kremlin's authority over Ukrainians in those areas. - A DMZ would not end the war on anyone's terms other than Russia's - emphasised the ISW expert.
