Putin is playing a long and sinister game – here’s what Ukraine deal really means

2 comments

1. [Donald Trump’s peace deal](https://inews.co.uk/news/zero-gratitude-trump-lashes-out-ukraine-and-zelensky-peace-talks-continue-4061269?ico=in-line_link) makes [Ukraine](https://inews.co.uk/topic/ukraine?ico=in-line_link) a “tethered goat” for future invasions by Russia and agreement would be “suicide” for Kyiv, analysts have warned.

   Ukraine’s European allies this week [tacitly rejected](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/11/22/leaders-statement-on-ukraine/) Trump’s peace proposal, [a 28-point plan created with Russia](https://inews.co.uk/news/demands-ukraine-peace-deal-putins-true-plan-4060254?srsltid=AfmBOooE7MrwZJXxc_lW6yd-t92dS3vUVjnqsQuVAr4OT926KMO5P2Xi&ico=in-line_link), which featured many of the Kremlin’s demands.

   The plan was strongly criticised as kowtowing to Putin, with European leaders warning it would “leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack”.

   Many military analysts and academics have warned that Russia may use a ceasefire in Ukraine to regroup before reattacking.

   Trump said the plan was “not his final offer”, and later announced an “updated and refined peace framework” created in partnership with Ukraine.

   # Trump’s plan – and why it plays into Putin’s hands

   Trump’s plan would hand over the [Donbas](https://inews.co.uk/topic/donbas?ico=in-line_link) – an eastern region made up of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts – to Russia.

   Russia currently controls almost all of Luhansk and a large portion of Donetsk.

   Areas that Ukraine still holds in Donetsk would become a demilitarised zone belonging to Russia, which Russian forces would supposedly not enter. Ukrainian forces would have to pull out of these areas.

   Crimea – which was annexed by Kremlin forces in 2014 – would be formally recognised as Russia.

   This would fulfil Putin’s long-held goal of expanding the borders of Russia. He has been [open in his belief](https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/putins-history-lecture-reveals-his-dreams-of-a-new-russian-empire/#:~:text=As%20Carlson%20himself%20showed%20little,%E2%80%9Creturning%E2%80%9D%20historically%20Russian%20lands.) that Ukraine has no right to exist and that this war will reclaim historically Russian lands.

2. The reports that Ukraine is now publicly ready to give up the Russian occupied land in exchange for peace, is a red flag for me.

   It tells me that they are very very worried that they cannot stop the Russian advance.

   …which means that Russia will not want to stop (despite the grinding losses).

   I’ve heard other reports of severe man shortages all along the front.

   I’m hoping there isn’t a collapse of the Ukrainian front, but I’m worried we might see exactly that in the next 12 months.

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