U.S. President Donald Trump is set to unveil a plan to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine at the Munich Security Conference in Germany next week, according to Bloomberg, citing informed sources.
Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, has confirmed his intention to speak at this annual conference.
The aspects of the yet-to-be-released plan may include a potential freeze of the conflict along the contact line, leaving parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia in a state of limbo. At the same time, Ukraine could be provided with security guarantees against further attacks from Moscow. The fate of a portion of the Kursk region in Russia, captured by Ukraine during the counteroffensive, remains unclear.
Trump's plan likely incorporates the previously stated idea from his administration of "Peace through Strength." The American president had earlier threatened Moscow with new sanctions if it did not initiate peace talks with Kyiv.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin, which had previously refused to negotiate a ceasefire with Vladimir Zelensky, labeling him an "illegitimate" president, softened its rhetoric on Wednesday. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Wednesday that there has been an expansion of contacts with the U.S. regarding the cessation of the war and emphasized that Moscow is open to negotiations.
Responding to a question from British journalist Piers Morgan on Tuesday about his feelings regarding the possibility of sitting at the negotiating table with Putin, Zelensky said: "If this is the only format under which we can bring peace to the citizens of Ukraine and not lose people, then certainly we will go for this format."
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Kellogg also expressed the desire of the U.S. to hold elections in Ukraine as soon as a ceasefire is achieved. Zelensky stated that he is open to holding elections as soon as the war ends and martial law is lifted.