Trump's Ukraine plan: Concessions to Russia, NATO membership off the table

Reuters reports that. 

Key figures in Trump's camp, including incoming Russia-Ukraine envoy Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, are reportedly advocating for a peace plan that would freeze current battle lines and exclude Ukraine from NATO membership. Kellogg’s proposal, co-authored with Fred Fleitz, suggests halting military aid to Kyiv unless it agrees to negotiations while threatening increased U.S. support if Russia refuses to engage.

Trump has pledged to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, but his team hasn’t outlined a cohesive plan, a source familiar with the discussions said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hinted at openness to negotiations but insists on pursuing NATO membership as part of his “Victory Plan.” However, Russia appears unlikely to compromise, with President Vladimir Putin showing no sign of dropping demands for Ukraine to abandon NATO aspirations and cede territories Moscow claims.

“Putin is in no hurry,” said Eugene Rumer, a former U.S. intelligence analyst. He’s likely to bide his time, take more ground, and wait for concessions, he added. 

Other Trump advisers, including JD Vance and Richard Grenell, have proposed alternatives, such as creating demilitarized zones or autonomous regions in eastern Ukraine, but these ideas also face skepticism.

Critics argue Trump’s proposals may struggle to gain support from Kyiv, European allies, and even U.S. lawmakers, particularly as current aid to Ukraine from the Biden administration and Europe remains robust.

“I don’t think anybody has any realistic plan for ending this,” Rumer concluded.

Trump has yet to convene a central team to finalize a strategy, and insiders say any resolution will likely require direct talks between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment, citing a lack of details on Trump’s broader plan.