WASHINGTON – US President-elect Donald Trump, who has consistently claimed he could resolve the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office, is reportedly formulating a peace plan that involves European forces enforcing an 800-mile buffer zone between the Russian and Ukrainian militaries. According to a report by The Telegraph, Trump's proposal would aim to freeze the current front line while Ukraine would be required to put its NATO ambitions on hold.
Under the proposed arrangement, the US, one of Kyiv’s largest suppliers of military aid, would bolster Ukraine with significant arms support to deter any potential future aggression from Russia. However, American troops would not participate in the enforcement of the buffer zone. “We are not sending American men and women to uphold peace in Ukraine. And we are not paying for it. Get the Poles, Germans, British and French to do it,” an anonymous Trump team member told The Telegraph.
Trump's stance reflects his long-standing criticism of the scale of US military and financial involvement in Ukraine, a position he maintained throughout his campaign leading to his recent electoral victory over Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump and Zelensky in Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed discussions with Trump after the election, emphasizing the importance of US leadership. "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," Zelensky stated on social media platform X.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended congratulations to Trump on his election win and indicated an openness to dialogue. "Ready," Putin responded when asked about potential talks with the incoming US president.
Zelensky has reiterated that peace will not be possible until Russian forces withdraw entirely from Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. Currently, Moscow holds nearly 20% of Ukraine’s land, making the path to a comprehensive peace deal highly complex.
The proposal to involve European forces and create a buffer zone marks a significant shift in potential US foreign policy, focusing on European leadership in maintaining regional stability while the US commits to arms support rather than direct military enforcement.
