Donald Trump appears to be acting on his promise to end the war in Ukraine, taking a bold first step by reportedly engaging in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Though details of the conversation are sparse and Russia denies its occurrence, reports suggest Trump made four key points:

1. Urging de-escalation: Trump appealed to Putin to avoid escalating the conflict further.
2. Highlighting U.S. military presence: He reminded Putin of American deployments in Europe as a warning.
3. Proposing dialogue: Trump pitched the idea of talks to bring an end to hostilities.
4. Discussing territorial concessions: Speculation suggests Trump floated the possibility of Ukraine ceding some land in exchange for peace.

While the Kremlin has dismissed the call as fiction, it has praised Trump’s leadership, with Putin calling him a “manly leader.”

Trump’s Peace Plan: A Controversial Framework

Reports hint at Trump’s potential peace strategy, which includes:

• Freezing the current frontline: Halting further advancements from both sides.
• Creating a buffer zone: A 1,200-kilometer demilitarized zone patrolled by European soldiers, potentially from Germany, France, or the UK, but excluding American forces.
• Dropping NATO ambitions: Ukraine would abandon its pursuit of NATO membership in exchange for Western guarantees of arms supplies as a deterrent against future Russian aggression.

The plan, while ambitious, raises significant questions:

• Will Europe commit troops to enforce the buffer zone?
• Will Ukraine agree to territorial concessions?
• Will Russia tolerate a heavily armed Ukraine on its borders?

Critics argue that the plan is a long shot, but Trump’s team views it as a better alternative to indefinite U.S. funding of the conflict.

Biden’s Last Days in Office: Limited Options

With only 70 days remaining in his presidency, Joe Biden faces a shrinking window to solidify U.S. support for Ukraine. His options include:

1. Persuading Trump: Biden is reportedly set to meet Trump to lobby him on maintaining robust support for Ukraine—a likely futile endeavor given Trump’s stance.
2. Securing Congressional funding: Biden could push for a final aid package for Ukraine, though a Republican-controlled Congress in January makes this challenging.
3. Lifting battlefield restrictions: Biden might remove limits on Ukraine’s use of U.S. weapons, enabling strikes deep into Russian territory.

Europe’s Role and Ukraine’s Dilemma

As U.S. support wanes, Ukraine increasingly relies on its European allies. The European Union has pledged unwavering support, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasizing their commitment. However, financial contributions highlight a disparity: the EU has given $131 billion to Ukraine, compared to $174 billion from the U.S.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is ramping up its military efforts. Recent drone strikes on Moscow and retaliatory Russian attacks underscore the ongoing intensity of the conflict.

The Stark Choices Facing Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky now faces a grim decision:

• Accept Trump’s deal: This would mean losing territory but potentially securing peace.
• Reject the deal and fight on: With dwindling resources, this risks defeat on the battlefield.

Either way, the current trajectory favors Vladimir Putin, whose gamble on weakening Western resolve appears to be paying off nearly three years into the war. As Zelensky navigates this precarious situation, Trump’s moves will significantly shape the future of the conflict—and global geopolitics.