Trump's Potential Plan to End the Ukraine War
Two senior advisors to former US President Donald Trump have proposed a detailed plan to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, should Trump win the upcoming presidential elections. The plan, crafted by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg and Fred Fleitz, involves pressuring Kiev to enter peace talks with Russia by threatening to cut off American weapons supplies. Simultaneously, Moscow would be warned that refusing to negotiate would lead to increased American support for Ukraine. This strategy represents a significant shift in the US's stance on the 28-month-old conflict.
Kremlin's Reaction to Peace Proposals
The Kremlin has responded to the proposed peace plan by emphasizing the importance of reflecting the actual situation on the ground. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's official spokesman, stated that any peace plan must consider the current conditions and that President Vladimir Putin remains open to negotiations. However, Putin has stipulated that peace requires acknowledgment of Russia’s control over four Ukrainian regions, a condition that Kiev and its Western allies firmly reject.
Denmark's Training of Ukrainian Pilots on F-16 Jets
In a related development, Denmark has announced that it will train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets only until the end of the year. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen cited the country's transition to F-35 jets as the reason for this deadline. Despite this, Denmark, along with other European allies, continues to support Ukraine by providing F-16 jets. This move comes amidst ongoing efforts to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russian aggression.
- Fred Fleitz mentioned that Trump responded positively to their proposed plan, though it is not officially endorsed by Trump or his campaign. The plan is seen as a major shift in US policy and is expected to face opposition from European allies and within Trump's Republican Party.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that peace talks could commence immediately if Ukrainian forces withdraw from the regions of Zaporozhye, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk. However, this condition is unacceptable to Kiev and its Western allies, who insist that these areas remain part of Ukraine.
- Denmark's decision to end the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets by the end of the year is due to the country's switch to F-35 jets. Despite this, Denmark assures that it will continue to support Ukraine in other capacities, potentially through training programs in other countries such as Romania.
- The complexities of international aid for Ukraine are highlighted by Denmark's recent announcement and the ongoing challenges in training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets. This situation could be leveraged by Putin to create further divisions among Ukraine's supporters.
