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Initially, Donald Trump gave the impression to embrace a resolute approach regarding the Ukrainian conflict. After issuing threats of "significant repercussions" during the summer in case Vladimir Putin carried on blocking peace talks, he finally imposed substantial sanctions on the Russian biggest energy firms, these major energy companies. This move significantly affected the Russian leader's ability to support his military invasion in Ukraine.

But, with his newly presented 28-point peace proposal for Ukraine, reportedly created by US and Russian officials lacking Ukraine's or EU involvement, Trump has clearly gone back to his Russia-friendly approach.

Favoring Military Action

This initiative would in practice benefit Putin for occupying a sovereign nation while putting Ukraine's political freedom in danger. Despite ringing statements that "Ukraine's sovereignty will be affirmed", large portions of the initiative in reality undermine that same sovereignty. What represents a Russian ideal would likely be a disaster for Ukraine.

Reflecting his corporate experience, the former president continues to view the war as a simple territorial dispute, as if ceding Putin a portion of Ukrainian territory will appease the leader. But, Russia's invasion is not only about occupying a damaged area of industrial-devastated territory in eastern Ukraine. It is about Ukraine's political system – and Putin's apparent goal to weaken it so it ceases to serves as an attractive model for the Russian citizens of the accountable governance that his increasing autocracy prevents them.

Border Giveaways

While maintaining in place the already divided regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, the plan would compel Ukraine to abandon the whole Donetsk region. In addition to benefiting Russia with territory that its forces have been failed to seize in more than a lengthy period of conflict, this giveaway would render Ukrainian military defenses severely weakened.

The area is the location of Ukraine's well-known "stronghold system", the well-established protective structures that constitute a critical obstacle to enemy progress. Trump would have Ukraine abandon these fortifications, leaving Putin a unobstructed route to Kyiv in case he later decide to renew the war.

Armed Forces Restrictions

Furthermore, in a move that would facilitate additional conflict easier for Russia, Trump would force the nation to diminish the numbers of its troops from their existing approximately 800,000 troops to a limit of six hundred thousand. Significantly, Trump's proposal imposes no such restrictions on Russian forces.

Apparently as a accommodation to Putin's attempts to depict Ukraine's democratically elected administration as radicals, the plan asserts: "All radical ideology and practices must be opposed and forbidden." Seemingly to highlight this point, it insists that "Ukraine will hold democratic votes in 100 days" of a ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Trump sets no condition that Putin endanger his regime by conducting elections in Russia.

Defense Assurances

To be sure, the proposal makes Russia pledge not to "invade neighboring countries" and to "enshrine in law its policy of peaceful relations towards the EU and Ukraine". However considering that the Russian leadership has violated similar accords in the history – including the 1994 agreement, in which Russia pledged to recognize Ukraine's territorial integrity in return for giving up its former Soviet nuclear weapons, and the 2014-2015 Minsk agreements, in which Russia agreed to a truce and a handback of occupied territory in eastern Ukraine to Kyiv – how should the international community trust Russia this time?

That is why Ukraine has been so determined on international protection assurances. Although the proposal promises a "decisive coordinated defense action" in case Russia restart its aggression, and provides that "Ukraine will receive dependable security guarantees", the specifics vary from fuzzy to concerning. The proposal would not just prevent the nation Nato membership but also prohibit Nato members from stationing troops on Ukrainian territory, thereby preventing the reassurance force, reportedly led by European powers, on which Ukraine had been relying to prevent Russia from replenishing his diminished troops, restocking, and reinvading.

World Concern

Another side agreement reportedly would grant Ukraine with a Nato-style defense commitment, in which any subsequent "significant, intentional, and ongoing military assault" by Russia on the country "shall be regarded as an assault endangering the peace and security of the Western nations." This implies a defense action. However unlike a powerful Ukrainian military – Ukraine's most reliable defense against renewed Russian aggression – the credibility of the side agreement would rely on the dedication of alliance members, including the US administration, to respond militarily to Putin's aggression, something they have {not