The incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly preparing a contentious peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, which may include formal recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea and other occupied territories. According to a report by The Telegraph, this proposed strategy marks a significant shift in American foreign policy, potentially prioritising a swift end to the conflict over the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The report suggests that Donald Trump has dispatched his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to Moscow to convey these proposals directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite immense concerns from Washington’s European allies, the administration appears determined to push forward with this plan. A reliable source indicated that the US is not prioritising European consensus, remarking that the Europeans “can do what they want,” but Washington is focussed on its own diplomatic objectives.
The Kremlin confirmed on Friday that a revised strategy for ending the hostilities had reached them following urgent discussions between Ukrainian and American officials in Geneva. The initial 28-point plan reportedly includes the ‘de facto’ recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea and the eastern Donbas region. Furthermore, any proposed ceasefire would likely involve accepting the current frontlines in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as the new boundaries, effectively ceding those areas to Russian control.
President Putin has long maintained that the recognition of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea remains a non-negotiable prerequisite for any peace settlement. While Trump’s potential plan appears to align with some of these demands, it faces staunch opposition from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has repeatedly vowed not to trade land for peace. Geopolitical analysts warn that such a move could severely undermine the unity of NATO and embolden further territorial aggression globally. As the transition of power in the US approaches, the international community remains deeply divided over the implications of this proposed American intervention.
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