The American magazine Foreign Affairs has published an article exploring a potential plan by Donald Trump that could end the war in Ukraine. According to the article, the former U.S. president, who is considering a return to the White House, may propose Ukraine’s NATO membership in exchange for territorial concessions to Russia. Here are the key points from the article.
Territorial Concessions in Exchange for NATO Membership
The article suggests a complex plan in which Ukraine would nominally give up parts of its territories. In return, Kyiv would receive security guarantees through immediate NATO membership. Analysts believe this “single card” could convince Ukraine to halt military actions and accept a compromise solution.
The Role of the U.S. in the Process
For such an agreement to work, Trump would first need to accelerate the delivery of military aid to Ukraine and demonstrate firm support for Kyiv. Only then, the article argues, might Putin agree to serious negotiations—especially if the Russian army can no longer advance or begins losing ground.
Another critical condition is convincing Putin that the U.S. will not abandon Ukraine. According to Foreign Affairs, this is key to applying pressure on the Kremlin.
NATO Membership as a Decisive Factor
Ukraine’s NATO membership could be a compromise for President Zelenskyy if such a plan were implemented. It would strengthen the country’s security, make future conflicts with Russia less likely, and solidify Ukraine’s sovereignty. Furthermore, the experience of Ukraine’s military, proven effective during the ongoing war, would bolster NATO, while Ukrainian-developed technologies, including drones, would offer new opportunities for the Alliance.
Is Ukraine Ready for Territorial Concessions?
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine cannot give up Crimea or Donbas, even if it currently lacks the military capacity to reclaim them. In an interview with Le Parisien, he stated that Ukraine’s Constitution prohibits such actions. “These territories are controlled by Russia, but we cannot surrender them,” he said.
The president stressed that any negotiations with Russia must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty. He also emphasized that no world leader has the right to negotiate with Putin without Ukraine’s consent.
NATO Takes Over Military Aid Coordination
Meanwhile, according to Reuters, NATO has taken on the role of coordinating military aid deliveries to Ukraine—a responsibility previously managed by the U.S. This shift allows NATO to become a more direct participant in the conflict against Russian aggression while avoiding direct involvement of its own forces.
However, the agency’s sources caution that Ukraine’s support remains vulnerable due to the dominant role of the U.S. in NATO and its position as the primary supplier of weapons to Kyiv.
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