TRUMP LIKELY TO MEET PUTIN: WHAT A UKRAINE PEACE DEAL COULD LOOK LIKE, Pg16.

Key Highlights:

• Donald Trump stated he will meet with Vladimir Putin in Budapest to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
• Russia controls over 116,000 square km (19%) of Ukraine, including Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
• Putin demands Ukraine withdraw from the 20% of Donetsk still controlled by Ukrainian forces.
• Russia seeks written guarantees that NATO will halt eastward expansion.

Detailed Insights:

• Putin's key condition for peace is that Western leaders provide written assurance that NATO will cease its eastward expansion.
• Ukraine seeks security guarantees to prevent future invasions, but Western nations are hesitant to commit to agreements that could lead to conflict with Russia.
• A potential agreement, similar to the April 2022 Istanbul talks, involves Ukraine declaring permanent neutrality in exchange for security guarantees from UN Security Council permanent members.
• Russia desires the ability to use the US dollar in international transactions and access Western financial institutions, while Europe considers using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defense and reconstruction.

Key Concepts Involved:

• NATO: A military alliance established by the North Atlantic Treaty for collective defense against external threats.
• Donbas: A region in eastern Ukraine comprising the Donetsk and Luhansk областей (provinces).
• Security Guarantees: Commitments made to ensure the protection and safety of a nation against potential threats or aggression.