Former President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by suggesting that he could bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine by exerting pressure on Ukraine to concede territory to Russia.
According to a Washington Post report, Trump contends that Crimea and the Donbas border regions, which are areas of considerable dispute, should be relinquished to Russia to halt hostilities.
Despite repeatedly asserting that he could resolve the conflict within a day of returning to the presidency, details of his plan have remained elusive. Citing anonymous sources familiar with Trump’s discussions, the Washington Post discloses that his strategy entails significant concessions from Ukraine.
The report quotes Trump as stating that he believes both Russia and Ukraine “want to save face, they want a way out,” and suggests that inhabitants in certain parts of Ukraine would be amenable to becoming part of Russia.
Ukraine’s leadership has steadfastly rejected any notion of making territorial concessions. Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s internal affairs ministry, took to social media to criticize Trump’s suggestion, emphasizing the far-reaching consequences such an action would have on a global scale.
“In reality, that would mean the ultimate collapse of the post-WWII world order and a signal that the law of force now supersedes the force of law,” Gerashchenko said.
Biden’s Support for Ukraine
In contrast, President Joe Biden has consistently stood up for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, advocating for measures to counter Russian aggression and endorsing additional military assistance for Ukraine.
Despite facing opposition from certain members of Congress who support Trump, Biden’s administration has put forth a proposal for an additional $60 billion in aid.
Since the conflict’s inception in February 2022, the toll on Russian forces in Ukraine has been substantial, as reported by the British Defense Ministry.
They estimate that, on average, 658 Russian soldiers are killed or wounded daily. This figure has purportedly increased annually, from an average of 400 in 2022 to 913 in the first quarter of this year.
