Trump's emerging plan for ending Ukraine war doesn't sit well with Russia, expert says
Photo: Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President-elect Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Ukraine is still being formed, but it has already raised concerns in Russia, said political expert Taras Zahorodnii in a commentary to the RBC-Ukraine Youtube channel.
According to Zahorodnii, much of what Trump spoke about during his campaign was centered on domestic US issues and had little connection to Ukraine. His focus was primarily on American voters and internal politics.
"The plan for Ukraine is just being formed. However, the Russians don't like it anymore. What we have heard from Trump's circle already doesn't sit well with the Russians. There are two main points: the fixation on the demarcation line and the assurance that Ukraine will not be disarmed. This does not suit the Russians," Zahorodnii added.
He recalled that Putin could only cease fire if Ukraine refused to join NATO and gave up Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Donetsk region to Russia, and the US recognized it as Russian territory.
"This nonsense will never happen, it contradicts existing positions. Trump makes it clear: Putin, if you want to talk to me, let's talk. About what? About the Pechenegs? About the Rurik dynasty and the fact that you want a sphere of influence in Europe on this basis? He will not listen to this nonsense," Zahorodnii said.
He pointed out that there is Plan B - Pompeo's plan. It involves providing Ukraine with extensive support, including a $500 billion lend-lease, lifting all restrictions on strikes against Russia, and engaging with Moscow from the position of February 24.
"These options have already been worked out, they just haven’t been formalized yet, but Trump isn’t president yet - there’s still a month," Zahorodnii said.
The expert further noted that Trump’s strange remarks about Panama and Greenland are aimed at China.
Zahorodnii said that China effectively controls the Panama Canal, as Chinese companies have acquired ports in the region, despite the canal officially being managed by Panama. He also added that the situation with Greenland is linked to China's ambitions to utilize the Arctic route. Regarding Trump's statements about withdrawing from the WHO, the expert pointed out that this decision had been known for some time, as Trump believed the organization was effectively under China's control
According to Zahorodnii, Iran will be bombed.
"Netanyahu (the Prime Minister of Israel - ed.) has been talking a lot about democracy in Iran. All this unholy trinity fighting against Ukraine will come under pressure from Trump," he concluded.
Trump wants to end the war in Ukraine
US President-elect Donald Trump assured that he wants a quick end to Russia's war against Ukraine. He promised to end the war within the first 24 hours of his presidency.
According to Reuters, Trump has three main options for ending the war on the table. These are the plans of Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and former acting Director of Intelligence Richard Grenell. All of them, in one form or another, propose freezing the war along the current demarcation line.
Trump also promised to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the war.
In addition, Keith Kellogg is scheduled to visit Kyiv in January, when he will take over as special envoy for Ukraine after Trump's inauguration.
