Ukraine Faces Ultimatum in Donald Trump's Advisors Peace Plan

Former President Donald Trump has been presented with a plan to end Russia's War In Ukraine, according to Reuters, that would involve telling Ukraine it would only get more weapons from the U.S. if Kyiv were to enter peace talks with Russia.

The Context

The war in Ukraine began in February 2022 when Russia launched an invasion of its western neighbor.

Since then, the U.S. has supported Ukraine with substantial aid and has condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine through various diplomatic, economic and military measures.

President Vladimir Putin is wanted in 123 countries for war crimes, after actions committed by Russia in the Ukraine war.

What We Know

Two of Trump's key advisors presented him with a plan to end the war in Ukraine, according to Reuters, that the former president could use if he wins reelection in November. The plan hinges on telling Ukraine it would only get more U.S. weapons if it enters into peace talks.

Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Trump via email for comment.

As part of the deal, the U.S. would warn Moscow that refusal to negotiate would result in increased support from the U.S. to Ukraine. This strategy was confirmed by retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, who is one of Trump's national security advisors, in an interview with Reuters.

The plan was drawn up by Kellogg and Fred Fleitz, both of whom served as chiefs of staff in Trump's National Security Council while he was president.

"I'm not claiming he agreed with it or agreed with every word of it, but we were pleased to get the feedback we did," Fleitz told Reuters.

If the plan was to come into effect, it would see a ceasefire based on prevailing battle lines during peace talks.

Trump had previously stated that he could quickly settle the war in Ukraine if he were to beat President Joe Biden in the November election, but he has not shared a specific strategy.

Newsweek has reached out to a representative for President Joe Biden via email.

Kellogg and Fleitz's plan would mark a significant shift in the U.S. position on the war and would likely face opposition from both European allies and members of the Republican Party.

Earlier this month, Trump criticized the scale of U.S. support, which at present has given an approximated $175 billion in aid to Ukraine since the war began. This amount includes military, economic and humanitarian aid.

At a campaign rally in Detroit on June 15, Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "the greatest salesman of all time."

What's Next

Tensions between Russia and the West are escalating. Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president and deputy chairman of the security council recently told the U.S. to "tremble and shake" as he rejected talks on limiting nuclear firepower.

Russia has reportedly suffered over half a million casualties in the war to date, with Ukraine admitting to 30,000 casualties.

This came after President Vladimir Putin warned that the world was "close to the point of no return" as a result of the "selfishness and hypocrisy of Western countries."

Biden and Trump are scheduled to take part in a debate on June 27, where the war in Ukraine could be a topic of discussion.

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