Susanna Siddell
Guest Reporter
Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested Donald Trump's plan to end Russia's war with Ukraine with an 800-mile demilitarised zone is “suicidal for Europe”.
The President-elect has indicated that he might call upon British and French troops - rather than US soldiers - to enforce this buffer zone between the two armies.
Trump looks poised to start peace talks ahead of his inauguration on January 20, although the US would not provide financial support for the mission.
One of Trump’s staff told the Wall Street Journal: “We can do training and other support but the barrel of the gun is going to be European.”
He continued: “We are not sending American men and women to uphold peace in Ukraine. And we are not paying for it. Get the Poles, Germans, British and French to do it.”
However, despite the lack of financial support, America would supply Ukraine with plenty of weapons to act as a deterrent to Russia.
Trump’s plan would also require Ukraine not to join Nato for at least 20 years, and the frontline between Ukrainian and Russian troops would be frozen.
While Ukraine has expressed a willingness to listen to the incoming President’s plans, Zelensky has said that his nation would oppose any future deal that might appear as a victory for Russia.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
As he spoke at a summit of the European Political Community in Budapest, Zelensky said: “There should be no illusions that a just peace can be bought by showing weakness. Peace is a reward only for the strong.”
“Since the July summit of the European Political Community in Great Britain, there has been much talk about giving in to Putin, retreating, and making some ‘concessions’.”
He added: “This is unacceptable for Ukraine and suicide for all of Europe.”
Speaking earlier today at the Valdai discussion club in the city of Sochi, the Russian President congratulated the former American President on his victory, claiming that he is ready to speak with him.
He added that he was impressed by Trump for surviving his assassination attempt in July, describing him as a "brave man", while saying that any ideas that would see the end of the Ukraine "crisis" deserve to be considered.
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has assured Zelensky that the UK’s support for Ukraine was “iron-clad”.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have both committed to standing by Ukraine.
European leaders contemplated the wider consequences of Trump’s election for the continent’s defence spending as well as the future of the Ukraine war.
Speaking at the same summit, Macron said: “Do we want to read the history written by others – the wars launched by Vladimir Putin, the US election, China’s technological or trade choices?”
“Or do we want to write our own history? I think we have the strength to write it.”
Chief of the European Commission Ursula von Der Leyen has also said that Europe must unite - just as it did during the global pandemic.
Find Out More...
The President-elect has indicated that he might call upon British and French troops - rather than US soldiers - to enforce this buffer zone between the two armies.
Trump looks poised to start peace talks ahead of his inauguration on January 20, although the US would not provide financial support for the mission.
One of Trump’s staff told the Wall Street Journal: “We can do training and other support but the barrel of the gun is going to be European.”
He continued: “We are not sending American men and women to uphold peace in Ukraine. And we are not paying for it. Get the Poles, Germans, British and French to do it.”
However, despite the lack of financial support, America would supply Ukraine with plenty of weapons to act as a deterrent to Russia.
Trump’s plan would also require Ukraine not to join Nato for at least 20 years, and the frontline between Ukrainian and Russian troops would be frozen.
While Ukraine has expressed a willingness to listen to the incoming President’s plans, Zelensky has said that his nation would oppose any future deal that might appear as a victory for Russia.
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As he spoke at a summit of the European Political Community in Budapest, Zelensky said: “There should be no illusions that a just peace can be bought by showing weakness. Peace is a reward only for the strong.”
“Since the July summit of the European Political Community in Great Britain, there has been much talk about giving in to Putin, retreating, and making some ‘concessions’.”
He added: “This is unacceptable for Ukraine and suicide for all of Europe.”
Speaking earlier today at the Valdai discussion club in the city of Sochi, the Russian President congratulated the former American President on his victory, claiming that he is ready to speak with him.
He added that he was impressed by Trump for surviving his assassination attempt in July, describing him as a "brave man", while saying that any ideas that would see the end of the Ukraine "crisis" deserve to be considered.
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has assured Zelensky that the UK’s support for Ukraine was “iron-clad”.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have both committed to standing by Ukraine.
European leaders contemplated the wider consequences of Trump’s election for the continent’s defence spending as well as the future of the Ukraine war.
Speaking at the same summit, Macron said: “Do we want to read the history written by others – the wars launched by Vladimir Putin, the US election, China’s technological or trade choices?”
“Or do we want to write our own history? I think we have the strength to write it.”
Chief of the European Commission Ursula von Der Leyen has also said that Europe must unite - just as it did during the global pandemic.
Find Out More...