Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump's ambitious plan to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine could see the involvement of British and European forces, according to sources within his campaign. Trump, who triumphed over Democratic opponent Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race, has long maintained that he would bring an end to the war in Ukraine, and is reportedly determined to initiate peace talks even before officially taking office in January 2025. His team has reportedly drafted an outline for the proposed peace plan, as detailed by The Telegraph.
Trump’s Strategy for Ending the Ukraine Conflict
Trump’s proposed solution to the war may include the deployment of British and European soldiers to establish an 800-mile buffer zone between Russian and Ukrainian troops. His plan would effectively freeze the current front lines, halting further escalation of the conflict.
Staffers close to Trump have indicated that, as part of the plan, Ukraine would need to temporarily shelve its NATO aspirations for 20 years. In exchange, the United States would provide Ukraine with military supplies and weaponry, aimed at deterring Russia from reigniting the war.
However, the U.S. would not be sending troops to patrol the buffer zone or to enforce peacekeeping efforts. Additionally, Washington would not finance the cost of such operations. "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," a Trump campaign official reportedly told The Wall Street Journal.
Global Reactions to Trump's Election
The news of Trump’s peace plan comes amid diplomatic gestures from both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who both extended congratulations to Trump on his 2024 election victory. Putin, speaking on Thursday, expressed his willingness to engage in discussions with the new U.S. president, praising Trump's courage during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania that occurred during the election campaign. "He turned out to be a courageous person. People show who they are in extraordinary circumstances. This is where a person reveals himself," Putin remarked, commending Trump’s actions during the ordeal.
On the Ukrainian side, President Zelenskyy also congratulated Trump, noting their previous discussions on ways to resolve the conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy, who has consistently called for a strong stance against Russian aggression, expressed hope that Trump’s "peace through strength" approach could help bring Ukraine closer to a just peace. "I hope that we will put it into action together," Zelenskyy added.
Ukraine’s Position on Peace and Concessions
While expressing optimism about potential peace efforts, Zelenskyy has consistently emphasized that any peace agreement with Russia must result in the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory, including Crimea. He has rejected any notion of making concessions to Moscow, stressing that "peace is a reward only for the strong."
Speaking at a European Union summit in Budapest, Zelenskyy warned against any illusions that peace could be achieved by showing weakness. "Since the July summit of the European Political Community in Great Britain, there has been much talk about giving in to Putin, retreating, and making some concessions. This is unacceptable for Ukraine and suicide for all of Europe," he stated, reiterating that Ukraine’s sovereignty must be fully restored before any peace can be realized.
As the conflict enters its third year, all eyes will be on how Trump’s proposed peace plan develops, and whether it can bridge the deep divisions between Moscow, Kyiv, and the Western powers.