Trump offered three peace plan options for Ukraine, none include NATO membership

According to four anonymous officials, as of last week, Trump had not yet convened a group to develop a peace plan. One former national security official noted that Trump’s three main proposals are: a plan by special representative for Ukraine and Russia, General Keith Kellogg; a plan by elected U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance; and a plan by former acting intelligence director under Trump, Richard Grenell.

Kellogg’s plan, co-authored with former National Security Council official Fred Fleitz and presented to Trump earlier this year, calls for freezing the current front lines. The agency notes that Trump would offer Kyiv more U.S. weapons only if it agrees to peace talks. He would also warn Moscow that U.S. aid to Ukraine would increase if Russia rejects negotiations. The plan does not foresee NATO membership for Ukraine, but it does propose U.S. security guarantees, which could include increased weapons supplies after an agreement is reached.

Vance proposed his “peace plan” in September, opposing aid to Ukraine. The deal between Ukraine and Russia would likely involve a demilitarized zone along current front lines, which would be “heavily fortified” to prevent further Russian invasions. He also proposed denying NATO membership to Kyiv.

Grenell advocated for the creation of “autonomous zones” in eastern Ukraine. He also stated that NATO membership for Ukraine is not in America’s interest.

According to one of Trump’s advisers, Grenell was one of the few people present at the September meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in New York.

Ukraine’s NATO membership

On Dec. 3, the Wall Street Journal reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has subtly shifted his rhetoric on ending the war with Russia, suggesting that Ukraine is open to peace talks provided it is offered NATO membership.

Speaking on Sky News on Nov. 29, Zelenskyy stated that NATO membership should be offered to Ukraine’s non-occupied territories for Kyiv to consider ending the “hot phase of the war.” While Ukraine will continue to claim its entire territory, Zelenskyy implied that Kyiv would seek to “return them by diplomatic means.” He expressed similar sentiments in an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News.

“Our army lacks the strength for this… We need to find diplomatic solutions,” Zelenskyy said regarding the expulsion of Russian forces from occupied territories.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially stated that Ukraine would not accept any “alternatives, substitutes, or replacements” for full NATO membership.

This story is developing.