Donald Trump has been privately discussing a controversial peace plan to end the war in Ukraine that would involve pressuring Kyiv to cede substantial territory to Russia, including Crimea and the Donbas region, according to exclusive sources familiar with the matter.
The Secret Proposal
The former US president's strategy, which has been communicated through informal channels to Russian leadership, would see Ukraine abandon its claims to Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine in exchange for an immediate ceasefire. This approach has raised serious concerns among national security experts who warn it would effectively reward Vladimir Putin's aggression.
Intelligence Community Alarm
Officials at the CIA and State Department have expressed deep reservations about Trump's backchannel diplomacy. One senior intelligence official described the proposal as "dangerously naive" and warned that it could undermine decades of US foreign policy in Eastern Europe.
European allies have been particularly vocal in their opposition, with diplomatic sources indicating that such a deal would:
- Legitimise Russia's illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory
- Encourage further Russian aggression in the region
- Undermine international law and border integrity principles
- Damage Western unity on supporting Ukraine
Political Fallout
The revelations come at a sensitive time in US politics, with Trump positioning himself as the Republican frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election. His approach to Russia and Ukraine has become a central point of contention between the two major political parties.
National security analysts suggest that implementing such a plan would have far-reaching consequences:
- Weaken NATO's eastern flank security
- Empower other authoritarian regimes to pursue territorial expansion
- Damage America's credibility as a reliable international partner
- Potentially trigger new conflicts in post-Soviet states
International Response
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stated they will not negotiate away their sovereign territory. President Zelensky's administration has maintained that any peace agreement must respect Ukraine's 1991 borders and include the complete withdrawal of Russian forces.
The White House has declined to comment on the specific allegations but reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine's defence against Russian aggression. Meanwhile, European leaders are reportedly preparing contingency plans should US policy toward Ukraine shift dramatically following November's election.
