Trump's Ukraine Plan: Peace Through Territorial Concessions?

"The Washington Post" published an article titled "Inside Donald Trump’s secret, long-shot plan to end the war in Ukraine". The US presidential candidate aims to pressure Kyiv into making territorial concessions to Russia.

Trump boasted during his campaign that he could end the Ukraine conflict in 24 hours but remained tight-lipped about the specifics of his strategy. Insiders familiar with his plan, as reported by "The Washington Post," suggest it revolves around persuading Ukraine to hand over Donbas and Crimea to Russia.

Sources close to the former US president indicate he believes both Russia and Ukraine want a face-saving way out, and the people living in the territories in question would not oppose such an outcome.

Contrary to claims made after his discussion with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Trump reportedly did not say Ukraine "will not get a penny" if he returned to power. Nevertheless, Trump chose not to publicly disagree with Orban's statements after praising Orban as a strong leader.

Michael Anton, a former Trump advisor on the National Security Council and a Heritage Foundation think tank member, purportedly detailed this strategy at a confidential meeting with specialists from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). The strategy includes surrendering Crimea and Donbas, "curbing NATO's expansion," and motivating Vladimir Putin to reduce ties with Beijing.

It seems unlikely that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would entertain such a proposition.

James Carafano, a Heritage Foundation expert who organised the meeting, refused to disclose details but described the proposal as a "foolish idea," adding that diminishing Russia's power is the optimal strategy for addressing the Russia-China partnership.

Yet, according to "The Washington Post," within Trump's circle of advisors, there's an acknowledged need to counteract Russia's growing reliance on China. However, some of Trump's allies are reportedly dissuading him from pushing for territorial concessions for Russia.

Trump has yet to reveal his precise plans publicly. In a March interview with his former advisor Sebastian Gorka, he cryptically stated, "I have specific things to say to each of them (Zelensky and Putin - Editor's note), which I wouldn't share with the rest of the world."