Territorial Exchange for Security Guarantees: The Bitter Pill Zelensky Must Swallow
The Telegraph, citing Donald Trump’s proposal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to end the war, described “territorial exchange in return for security guarantees” as a poison chalice. However, it added that other alternatives would be considerably more severe, according to the English section of webangah News Agency, quoting Mehr News Agency.
Telegraph noted that Zelensky’s visit to the White House undoubtedly clarified Ukraine’s grim choice ahead. It appears Trump offered a path to peace requiring Ukraine’s concession of the Donbas region and acceptance of specific security guarantees from Western partners. The proposal implicitly assumes Ukraine will unquestioningly accept Russia’s pledge not to undertake further aggressive actions undermining Kyiv’s security.
The newspaper argued that if Ukraine agrees to this plan, it will at least survive as an autonomous state for now. However, the sacrifices made by its war heroes will be undervalued, and Zelensky could face severe political backlash in post-war elections-nonetheless of whether Ukrainian constitutional law validates land concessions.
Conversely, if zelensky rejects Trump’s peace offer, Ukraine would have to fight Russia without U.S.support-especially if Trump concludes that Zelensky bears obligation for failed negotiations. This option almost certainly means Kyiv’s surrender given Moscow’s overwhelming manpower and military equipment advantages.
Telegraph added there is a glimmer of hope as Ukraine’s status within European security frameworks will eventually become clear. Although Ukraine will not join NATO-an absolute rejection likely angering Kyiv-the United States and European leaders never intended to advance its NATO membership.
Still, some form of “Article 5”-style security guarantees shoudl offer cautious optimism for Ukraine. When zelensky called early on during Russia’s invasion for a no-fly zone,only the Baltic states and Poland expressed any willingness “to contemplate” direct confrontation with Russia. Fear of escalating tensions delayed delivery of critical weaponry and restricted Kyiv’s ability to strike deep inside Russian territory.Trump’s proposed guarantees suggest close allies are no longer intimidated by Putin’s nuclear threats and are prepared to defend Ukrainian sovereignty more robustly than before.
Although Ukraine rightly fears conceding more territory as rewarding aggression, Trump’s plan does not mean Putin can secure everything he desires; key aspects may displease the Russian president.
Moscow would likely have to abandon ambitions for full control over Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in southern Ukraine-or at least accept this limitation temporarily. With Finland now a full NATO member and western military infrastructure deeply embedded in Ukraine, Russia would end the conflict facing an expanded NATO presence along its borders.
The report concluded: Trump’s peace deal is a bitter pill Zelensky must swallow-but accepting it may represent Kyiv’s only chance to avoid catastrophic defeat.
