Trump Ukraine Peace Plan: European Troops to Enforce 800-Mile Buffer Zone, NATO Membership on Hold
Trump Ukraine Peace Plan: Donald Trump, who will return to the White House in January following his recent election victory, has claimed he could bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict within his first 24 hours in office. According to a recent report by The Telegraph, Trump’s peace plan involves European forces creating an 800-mile buffer zone between the Russian and Ukrainian armies, effectively freezing the current front line.
Under Trump’s proposed plan, Ukraine would agree to halt its ambitions to join NATO, a move intended to reduce one of the core tensions between Ukraine and Russia. In exchange, the United States would supply Ukraine with extensive weapons support, strengthening its ability to deter further Russian advances. Notably, Trump’s plan excludes American troops from patrolling the buffer zone, with Trump’s team suggesting that European forces from Poland, Germany, Britain, and France should handle the peace enforcement.
A member of Trump’s team commented, “We are not sending American men and women to uphold peace in Ukraine. And we are not paying for it.” Trump’s stance reflects his long-standing criticisms of the extensive U.S. military and financial support provided to Kyiv, which has remained steadfast in its fight against Russia since the invasion began in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin have both acknowledged Trump’s victory. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Zelensky stated, “We agreed to maintain close dialogue and advance our cooperation. Strong and unwavering US leadership is vital for the world and for a just peace.” Putin, when asked about Trump’s potential peace negotiations, expressed a willingness to engage in talks, saying he is “Ready.”
Trump’s peace proposal raises complex questions, as Zelensky has consistently affirmed that peace can only be achieved when all Russian forces are withdrawn, and territories, including Crimea, are returned. Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014, currently occupies nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory.
As the world watches Trump’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the call for European-led peacekeeping and potential shifts in Ukraine’s NATO aspirations mark a significant strategic pivot, adding a new dimension to the pursuit of stability in the region.
