Trump's Secret Scheme: A Controversial Bid to End Ukraine War

The Washington Post recently disclosed what has been dubbed "Trump's secret plan" to put an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The strategy reportedly involves pushing Kyiv to cede territorial rights over Donbas and Crimea to Russia.

Throughout his campaign, Trump has claimed he could halt the conflict in Ukraine within a day, yet he has consistently refrained from divulging his strategy. Insiders familiar with his thoughts have shared with The Washington Post that his plan centers on urging Ukraine to relinquish control over Donbas and Crimea to Russia.

People close to the former president suggest that he views this solution as a face-saving measure for both countries involved and believes the inhabitants of these disputed regions would welcome such an outcome.

Moreover, despite what was inferred from his exchange with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, where Orban hinted Ukraine would receive no financial support from a future Trump administration, sources clarify that Trump hasn't directly echoed this stance. Post-meeting, Trump chose not to publicly contradict Orban, whom he had praised as a formidable leader.

Michael Anton, a former National Security Council advisor and a member of the Heritage Foundation, reportedly detailed aspects of this strategy in a private meeting with the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) experts. The proposed plan includes handing over Crimea and Donbas, curbing NATO’s expansion, and motivating Putin to reduce ties with Beijing.

The possibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreeing to such terms seems remote.

While James Carafano, a Heritage Foundation expert who arranged the meeting, refrained from providing remarks, he did express that the plan is flawed. He suggested the optimal strategy against the Russia-China alliance is to weaken Russia’s influence.

Despite a faction of Trump's entourage considering the plan necessary to counteract Russia's growing reliance on China, The Washington Post reports that some allies advise against pushing for territorial concessions to Russia.

To date, Trump has kept details about his precise intentions under wraps. In a March interview with Sebastian Gorka, a former advisor, he hinted at having specific messages for Zelensky and Putin, which he would not share publicly.