Insights into Trump's Peace Proposal: What Ukraine and Russia Could Gain
Last week in Paris, the Trump administration delivered a one-page document to Ukraine, labeled as the "final proposal" for a peace settlement.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Axios.
A source close to the Ukrainian government expressed concerns that Kyiv perceives the proposal as significantly favoring Russia. “The document explicitly outlines the concrete advantages for Russia, while Ukraine's benefits are only vaguely referenced,” the source noted.
Key Advantages for Russia in Trump's Proposal:
- The U.S. would de jure acknowledge Russia's claim over Crimea;
- The proposal includes de facto recognition of Russia's control over nearly all of Luhansk and portions of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions;
- A commitment that Ukraine will not pursue NATO membership, although it could potentially join the European Union;
- The removal of sanctions imposed since 2014;
- Enhanced cooperation with the U.S. in sectors such as energy and industry.
What Ukraine Would Gain:
- "reliable security guarantees" involving a coalition of European nations, with possible support from non-European allies. However, the details regarding the functioning of this peacekeeping mission remain ambiguous, particularly concerning U.S. involvement;
- A return of a small segment of the Kharkiv region currently occupied by Russia;
- Guaranteed navigation rights on the Dnipro River, which runs along parts of Ukraine's southern front;
- Financial aid and assistance for rebuilding efforts, though the source of this funding is not specified;
- The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant would be recognized as Ukrainian territory, but operated by the U.S., with electricity supplied to both Ukraine and Russia.
The document also mentions an anticipated U.S.-Ukrainian agreement on mineral extraction, which Trump claims will be finalized this week.
As The Gaze reported earlier, representatives of Ukraine, the UK, France, Germany and the US will meet to discuss a peaceful settlement to the war in London on 23 April. However, Sky News reports that the meeting has been postponed.