Though hope, which has raised its head before only to be decapitated, may be too optimistic a word, recent changes in tone, coming from many parties to the conflict, forecast the chance that negotiations to end the war on Ukraine are, at least, peaking above the horizon. Those changes come from recent European elections, upcoming American elections and even from within Ukraine itself.
Donald Trump’s selection of J.D. Vance as his vice-presidential running mate signals a possible change in Ukraine policy should the Republicans win the November election. Trump has already telegraphed that change with his repeated promise that, if elected, he will solve the war in Ukraine before he even takes office.
Suggestions have now emerged as to how he plans to accomplish that. Two key Trump advisers, retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg and Fred Fleitz, a former CIA analyst, have submitted a plan to him. According to Kellogg, “We tell the Ukrainians, ‘You’ve got to come to the table, and if you don’t come to the table, support from the United States will dry up.’ And you tell Putin, ‘He’s got to come to the table and if you don’t come to the table, then we’ll give Ukrainians everything they need to kill you in the field.’”
The plan conditions continued U.S. support for Ukraine on Ukraine’s commitment to negotiating a diplomatic end to the war. That diplomatic end would include a promise not to offer Ukraine NATO membership for an extended period of time. It would further include a ceasefire along the current battle lines. Ukraine would not have to formally cede the lost territory to Russia but would have to pursue its recovery diplomatically.
Hellbound and Down 