Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Year : 2, Issue: 25
Two key advisers to Donald Trump have presented him with a plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine – if he wins the Nov 5 presidential election – that involves telling Ukraine it will only get more US weapons if it enters peace talks.
The United States would at the same time warn Moscow that any refusal to negotiate would result in increased US support for Ukraine, retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, one of Trump’s national security advisers, said in an interview.
Under the plan drawn up by Kellogg and Fred Fleitz, who both served as chiefs of staff in Trump’s National Security Council during his 2017-2021 presidency, there would be a ceasefire based on prevailing battle lines during peace talks, Fleitz said.
They have presented their strategy to Trump, and the Republican presidential candidate responded favorably, Fleitz added.
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said only statements made by Trump or authorised members of his campaign should be deemed official.
The strategy outlined by Kellogg and Fleitz is the most detailed plan yet by associates of Trump, who has said he could quickly settle the war in Ukraine if he beats President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election, though he has not said how he would do that.
The proposal would mark a big shift in the US position on the war and would face opposition from European allies and within Trump’s own Republican Party.
The White House National Security Council said the Biden administration would not force Ukraine into negotiations with Russia.
“President Biden believes that any decisions about negotiations are up to Ukraine,” said NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson.
Source: Reuters
