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At first, Donald Trump gave the impression to adopt a strong stance regarding the Ukrainian conflict. Following making threats of "significant ramifications" last August in case Russia's president carried on obstructing ceasefire discussions, Trump finally enacted considerable sanctions on the Russian primary petroleum corporations, these major energy companies. This action substantially hindered Putin's capability to support his war effort in the region.

Yet, through his recently unveiled comprehensive peace proposal for the conflict, which was drafted by American and Russian diplomats without Ukraine's or European participation, Trump has seemingly returned to his favorable to Russia stance.

Rewarding Aggression

This proposal would effectively benefit the Russian leader for attacking Ukraine while placing the country's political freedom in jeopardy. Despite ringing proclamations that "Ukraine's sovereignty will be confirmed", much of the proposal in reality weaken that very independence. What represents a Moscow's wish would certainly be a catastrophe for the nation.

Demonstrating his real-estate past, the former president seems to view the war as a simple land disagreement, as if ceding Putin a part of Ukrainian territory will appease the leader. But, Russia's invasion is not only about occupying a charred area of economically weakened land in eastern Ukraine. It is about the nation's democracy – and the Russian leader's clear desire to weaken it so it ceases to functions as an enticing standard for the Russian citizens of the democratic government that Putin's deepening autocracy withholds them.

Border Surrenders

Although freezing in place the already separated oblasts of these areas, Trump's initiative would require the nation to abandon all of Donetsk region. Beyond benefiting Russia with territory that its forces have been unable to occupy in more than a decade of conflict, this giveaway would render Ukrainian defenses critically compromised.

This region is the site of Ukraine's highly-touted "stronghold system", the fortified defensive positions that represent a essential obstacle to Russian advances. The proposal would have Ukraine abandon these positions, providing Putin a clear way to the capital in case he subsequently decide to resume the war.

Armed Forces Limitations

Then, in a action that would make renewed conflict easier for Russia, Trump would force Ukraine to cut the size of its military from their current approximately 800,000 soldiers to a cap of 600,000. Importantly, Trump's proposal sets no equivalent restrictions on the invading army.

In what appears as a concession to Russia's efforts to depict Ukraine's legitimate administration as radicals, Trump's proposal states: "All radical belief system and activities must be rejected and banned." Apparently to emphasize this element, it demands that "The nation will hold political contests in this period" of a ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, the proposal places no requirement that Putin jeopardize his authoritarian rule by conducting votes in Russia.

Security Commitments

Admittedly, the plan makes the Russian Federation pledge not to "invade bordering nations" and to "incorporate in law its policy of non-violence towards European nations and the Ukrainian people". Yet given that Putin has violated similar treaties in the past – including the Budapest accord, in which Russia pledged to respect the nation's territorial integrity in return for giving up its historical nuclear arsenal, and the 2014-2015 Minsk agreements, in which Moscow committed to a truce and a return of occupied territory in eastern Ukraine to the government – for what reason should anyone have confidence in Russia now?

This explains Ukraine has been so insistent on western security guarantees. While the plan promises a "immediate joint defense action" if the Russian Federation restart its invasion, and provides that "The nation will receive strong protection assurances", the particulars include fuzzy to troubling. The proposal would not only block Ukraine accession to NATO but also prohibit member states from stationing forces on Ukraine's soil, thereby precluding the peacekeeping contingent, presumptively led by the UK and France, on which Ukraine had been counting to stop Russia from restoring his weakened military, restocking, and resuming aggression.

International Reaction

Another side agreement according to sources would offer Ukraine with a Nato-style protection assurance, in which any later "major, intentional, and continuous aggression" by Russia on Ukraine "would be considered as an act of war jeopardizing the peace and security of the Western nations." This implies a defense action. However in contrast to a capable national defense – Ukraine's primary protection against additional Russian aggression – the credibility of the parallel accord would rely on the dedication of Western powers, including the US administration, to react through arms to Putin's attacks, an action they have {not