The initial efforts of President-elect Donald Trump to end the conflict in Ukraine, which occurred during his visit to Europe last week, are now reportedly beginning to emerge for the first time.
Europe would be responsible for the majority of the costs associated with providing Kyiv with troops to supervise a ceasefire and armaments to deter Russia according to Trump.
According to officials who were present at the meeting on December 7, Trump informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron that he does not endorse Ukrainian membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
However, he expressed his desire to see a well-armed, robust Ukraine emerge from any ceasefire.
According to the officials, Trump expressed his belief that Europe should be the primary actor in the defense and support of Ukraine.
Additionally, he expressed his desire for European forces to be stationed in Ukraine to oversee a ceasefire.
He has not rejected the possibility of U.S. backing for the arrangement, although there would be no U.S. forces present, according to the officials.
According to an individual who was informed of the meeting, Trump also encouraged the Europeans to exert more pressure on the Kremlin in order to persuade the Chinese to resolve the conflict.
They contemplated employing tariffs on China as a bargaining tool in the event that Beijing declines to do so.
Trump has consistently declared his desire to conclude the three-year conflict expeditiously; however, he has provided the public with scant information regarding his strategies for accomplishing this objective.
According to European officials, the president-elect has primarily inquired about the conflict and sought out perspectives on it during post-election discussions.
They are of the opinion that he has not yet developed a distinct plan of action.
The war will encounter significant obstacles, particularly from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has demonstrated no desire to conclude a conflict that he believes is in his favor, despite the fact that Russian forces have made only incremental progress and have sustained substantial losses.
A cease-fire along the current front lines would also be an agonizing step for Ukraine, as it would result in the loss of control over 20% of the country for the foreseeable future.
Trump has not yet committed to a specific Ukraine plan, according to his advisers, and has not given the matter much thought as he prepares to assume power.
Proposals are being developed and presented to him by members of his transition team and trusted confidants.
Trump will make critical judgments after his national-security team is established and he has engaged in additional discussions with his allies, also including potentially Putin.
The United States’ assistance to Ukraine has been repeatedly criticized by the prospective president.
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