Former President Donald Trump’s two key advisers have reportedly prepared a peace plan for Ukraine if the Republican frontrunner is reelected this November, as per Reuters. Trump has consistently pledged to resolve the conflict in Ukraine within “24 hours” of his election, although he has yet to provide specific details. Earlier this month, Trump claimed that a nuclear confrontation with Russia could be on the horizon if President Joe Biden, who he deems corrupt, remains in office.
Retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg recently informed Reuters that he and fellow adviser Fred Fleitz have presented their plan to the former president, who is said to have responded positively, although he did not necessarily agree with every aspect of it. Both Kellogg and Fleitz had served as chiefs of staff in the National Security Council during Trump’s first term.
According to Kellogg, the plan involves a call for Ukraine to engage in negotiations, with the warning that if they refuse, the United States would cease providing support. Additionally, the US would inform Russian President Vladimir Putin that he must also come to the negotiating table and, if not, the Ukrainians will be given everything they need to defeat him on the battlefield.
The proposed plan envisions an initial ceasefire based on battle lines established during peace negotiations, with no necessity for Kiev to formally cede disputed territories to Moscow. Furthermore, it proposes that Ukraine’s NATO accession talks would be temporarily halted as a concession to Russia.
However, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung clarified that official statements should only come from the former president or authorized members of his campaign. Responding to the Reuters article, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the “value of any plan lies in the nuances and taking into account the real state of affairs on the ground,” adding that Moscow needs first to examine the alleged plan.
Peskov also highlighted that Russian President Putin had recently put forth a peace initiative, which unfortunately has not been accepted by either the West or Ukraine themselves. In early October, Putin stated that Russia is prepared to cease hostilities immediately if Kiev removes its troops from the four former Ukrainian regions that held referendums to join Russia and agrees to neutrality and demilitarization, as well as undergoing “denazification.