Donald Trump has made his move to end the war in Ukraine, reportedly holding a quiet phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week. Although the Kremlin denies the conversation, sources claim Trump discussed four main points with Putin:

1. De-escalation: Trump urged Putin to avoid further military escalation in the conflict.
2. Strengthened U.S. military presence in Europe: He reminded Putin of America’s substantial military deployments in Europe.
3. Peace negotiations: Trump suggested a renewed push for peace talks.
4. Land concession: He proposed the possibility of Ukraine ceding territory for a peace agreement.

Putin’s praise of Trump as a “manly leader” has sparked speculation that Russia might be more inclined to negotiate. However, the real question remains: will these talks lead to a ceasefire, or are we still far from peace?

A Controversial Plan: Trump’s Proposal for Ukraine

Trump’s peace plan reportedly involves a series of bold proposals:

• Freezing current battlefronts: Halting the expansion of both Ukrainian and Russian military positions.
• Creating a European-monitored buffer zone: A 1,200-kilometer neutral zone, manned by European soldiers rather than American troops.
• Ukraine’s NATO aspirations: Trump suggested that Ukraine drop its NATO ambitions in exchange for international security guarantees.

Though ambitious, this plan raises several questions:

• Would Ukraine be willing to surrender territory?
• Can European forces effectively maintain a buffer zone?
• Will Russia agree to a Ukraine rearmed with Western weapons?

While the plan is a starting point for peace, its chances of success remain uncertain.

Biden’s Limited Options

In the final days of his presidency, Joe Biden has few options to influence the course of the Ukraine war. Reports suggest that Biden will meet with Trump soon, possibly attempting to convince him to continue supporting Ukraine. However, Trump has already distanced himself from pro-Ukraine leaders within his team, signaling a shift in U.S. policy.

If Biden seeks to help Ukraine before he leaves office, he could push Congress for one more aid package or use other drastic measures like releasing frozen Russian assets. But with a Republican Congress expected in 2025, Biden’s window of opportunity is closing rapidly.

Zelensky’s Dilemma: Peace or War?

For Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the future is uncertain. He must choose between two difficult paths:

1. Accept Trump’s peace plan: This could bring stability but would require Ukraine to give up valuable territory.
2. Keep fighting with European support: This would mean continuing the war without the assurance of U.S. backing, with no clear end in sight.

Both options carry significant risks, and with Russia continuing to gain ground, Ukraine may be running out of time. Ultimately, it seems that Putin’s strategy to fracture Western unity could be paying off.