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Initially, the former US president appeared to take a resolute stance on Ukraine. Following delivering threats of "severe consequences" last August if Vladimir Putin continued hindering ceasefire discussions, Trump eventually introduced considerable restrictions on Russia's primary oil companies, these major energy companies. This decision significantly impacted Putin's capability to finance his aggression in the region.

Yet, via his newly presented 28-point peace plan for the conflict, reportedly developed by American and Russian officials excluding Ukrainian or EU involvement, he has apparently reverted to his Russia-friendly stance.

Benefiting Military Action

This plan would essentially benefit Putin for attacking a sovereign nation while putting the country's democracy in peril. Although strong statements that "Ukraine's independence will be upheld", large portions of the plan effectively weaken that essential independence. What represents a Russian ideal would certainly be a disaster for Ukraine.

Reflecting his corporate background, Trump seems to consider the war as a simple border issue, like giving Putin a part of Ukraine's land will appease the ruler. Yet, Putin's invasion is not merely about occupying a damaged swath of industrial-devastated territory in Ukraine's east. Rather, it is about the nation's political system – and the Russian leader's clear desire to eliminate it so it ceases to functions as an enticing standard for the Russian citizens of the accountable government that his increasing dictatorship denies them.

Border Concessions

While maintaining in place the currently divided Ukrainian provinces of these areas, the plan would require Ukraine to abandon the whole this eastern territory. In addition to favoring Russia with territory that its troops have been unsuccessful to capture in exceeding a lengthy period of warfare, this surrender would make Ukrainian defensive positions dangerously compromised.

This region is the location of Ukraine's highly-touted "stronghold system", the fortified protective structures that represent a essential barrier to enemy progress. Trump would have the Ukrainian military leave these defenses, giving Putin a unobstructed path to the capital if he eventually choose to restart the hostilities.

Defense Limitations

Additionally, in a move that would make additional conflict simpler for the Russian military, the plan would require Ukraine to reduce the size of its armed forces from their present large number personnel to a limit of 600,000. Significantly, Trump's plan sets no similar limits on the invading army.

Seemingly as a gesture to Russia's campaign to depict the nation's democratically elected government as extremists, the proposal asserts: "All extremist ideology and practices must be condemned and prohibited." Apparently to highlight this aspect, it demands that "The nation will hold elections in 100 days" of a truce. However, Trump places no obligation that Putin risk his regime by conducting elections in his own country.

Security Guarantees

Admittedly, the plan includes Russia promise not to "attack bordering nations" and to "establish in legislation its position of peaceful relations towards European nations and Ukraine". Yet considering that the Russian leadership has broken comparable accords in the previous instances – including the 1994 agreement, in which Russia promised to recognize the nation's territorial integrity in exchange for giving up its former Soviet atomic arms, and the previous peace deals, in which Moscow promised to a halt in fighting and a handback of occupied land in the region to Ukrainian control – why should anyone trust Putin on this occasion?

This explains Ukraine has been so determined on external defense commitments. While the plan warns of a "strong joint military response" in case Russia resume its invasion, and includes that "The nation will receive strong security guarantees", the particulars range from vague to troubling. The proposal would not just prevent the nation alliance membership but also preclude member states from positioning troops on Ukraine's soil, thus blocking the security presence, presumptively commanded by European powers, on which Ukraine had been counting to prevent Russia from replenishing his diminished forces, re-equipping, and attacking again.

International Reaction

Another supplementary accord according to sources would provide the nation with a alliance-like protection assurance, in which any future "significant, planned, and sustained aggression" by the Russian Federation on Ukraine "shall be regarded as an act of war endangering the peace and security of the transatlantic community." This indicates a military response. However unlike a capable Ukraine's armed forces – Ukraine's primary defense against renewed invasion – the success of the side agreement would rely on the willingness of alliance members, like Trump, to respond militarily to Russia's aggression, an action they have {not