Donald Trump has stirred significant controversy with his alleged plans to offer Russian President Vladimir Putin a deal involving the ceding of occupied Ukrainian territories if he wins the 2024 US presidential election. According to a report by Politico, Trump is considering negotiating with Putin to renounce NATO membership for Ukraine and Georgia in exchange for peace talks. This potential move has sparked a strong reaction from Kiev, with Ukrainian officials firmly rejecting any compromise on their territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasized that Ukraine's values, such as territorial integrity and sovereignty, are non-negotiable. Yermak, who traveled to Washington ahead of the NATO summit, commented on Trump's alleged peace proposal, underscoring Ukraine's unwillingness to cede any territory to Russia.
In response to Trump's claims that he could end the Ukraine war within 24 hours, Zelensky has demanded clarity on how the former US president intends to achieve this. Zelensky expressed his willingness to meet with Trump and his team to understand their peace strategies and the potential implications for Ukraine's independence and statehood.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken Trump's statements seriously, expressing his belief that Trump is sincere in his intentions to stop the war in Ukraine if re-elected. However, Putin emphasized the need for Ukraine to make 'permanent' concessions, such as withdrawing forces from regions claimed by Moscow and abandoning its NATO aspirations, before any ceasefire could be considered.
On the ground, the conflict continues to escalate. Russia announced multiple strikes targeting Ukrainian air bases, resulting in the destruction of several aircraft and helicopters. Additionally, Russian attacks on northeastern and southern Ukraine have led to civilian casualties, including the death of an elderly woman and injuries to several others. Despite Moscow's denial of targeting civilians, the ongoing conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries since its inception in February 2022.
