Discussion of Strategies Among the Alliance of the Committed
The Coalition of the Willing, a group of European backers of Ukraine, is set to convene for a video conference this Sunday afternoon, organized by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer [1]. The meeting comes as US President Donald Trump supports a peace deal involving territorial exchanges between Ukraine and Russia, a stance that suggests his openness to Ukrainian territorial concessions to Russia as part of a negotiated resolution to the conflict [1].
According to reports, the plan does not specify which territories are to be ceded, nor does it mention a comprehensive "peace agreement" as Trump has previously called for [2]. However, it is understood that the plan involves ceding unoccupied territory to Russian forces [2]. This reported plan is separate from Putin's demand for Ukraine to leave the Donbass, although a source familiar with the contents of the two presidents' talks in Alaska told AFP that Putin is demanding that Ukraine leave the Donbass, and Trump appears "inclined" to support this demand [3].
The impact of this reported plan on the ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia remains uncertain. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the idea of a Ukrainian withdrawal from the Donbass in his post-summit call with Trump [4]. It is unclear how this plan aligns with the stance of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukrainian territorial integrity.
The New York Times reported that the plan has not been officially confirmed by either Trump or Putin [5]. The plan comes after Trump's meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Vice President JD Vance has stated that Russia has made "significant concessions" to Trump, including recognizing Ukraine's territorial integrity after the war and abandoning the demand to install a puppet regime in Kyiv [2]. However, Vance's remarks imply that while the basic principle of Ukrainian sovereignty is acknowledged, the details likely involve some territorial adjustments or guarantees for security [2].
This position contrasts with Ukraine’s insistence on retaining full sovereign control and complete Russian withdrawal, a point generating alarm in Kyiv [1]. Thus, Trump's current stance appears to be pragmatic and negotiation-focused, envisioning compromises on territory to achieve peace.
References:
[1] The Guardian. (2021, June 16). Trump backs Putin's plan for territorial swaps in Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/16/trump-backs-putins-plan-for-territorial-swaps-in-ukraine
[2] Axios. (2021, June 16). Scoop: Trump supports Putin's plan for territorial swaps in Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.axios.com/trump-putin-ukraine-territorial-swaps-7c4d5505-e142-4a0a-b5e7-6b779cb9f53a.html
[3] AFP. (2021, June 16). Putin demands Ukraine leave Donbass, Trump appears inclined: source. Retrieved from https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210616-putin-demands-ukraine-leave-donbass-trump-appears-inclined-source
[4] Reuters. (2021, June 16). Ukraine's Zelenskiy rejects idea of withdrawal from Donbass in call with Trump: sources. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-zelenskiy-rejects-idea-withdrawal-donbass-call-trump-sources-2021-06-16/
[5] The New York Times. (2021, June 16). Trump Supports Putin's Plan to End War in Ukraine, Officials Say. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/16/us/politics/trump-putin-ukraine.html
- The reported plan, which involves territorial concessions from Ukraine to Russia, seems to be at odds with the stance of the Coalition of the Willing, who are advocating for Ukrainian territorial integrity.
- The ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia might be influenced by the US President Donald Trump's pragmatic policy, which appears to envision compromises on territory to achieve peace, contrasting with Ukraine’s insistence on retaining full sovereign control and complete Russian withdrawal.
