DONALD Trump’s envoy has suggested that Ukraine could be carved up “like Berlin after World War II” as part of a peace plan.
General Keith Kellogg has suggested a proposal for the UK and France to oversee zones of control in west Ukraine, potentially serving as a “reassurance force” to prevent Russian aggression.
This would mean acknowledging the 20 per cent of Ukraine‘s eastern land that Russia has already occupied as under Putin’s control.
Between the two sides would be Ukrainian forces, operating behind a roughly 18-mile wide demilitarised zone (DMZ).
Kellogg, 80, said the Anglo-French-led force west of the Dnipro would “not be provocative at all” to Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Having played a crucial role in US initiatives to resolve the conflict in Russia, Kellogg highlighted that Ukraine’s size could allow for multiple armies to enforce a ceasefire effectively.
Illustrating his concept, Kellogg drew parallels to post-World War Two Berlin, where distinct zones were established for Russian, French, British, and US forces.
He said that UK-France forces would be “west of the [Dnipro river], which is a major obstacle”.
He also clarified that the US would not provide any boots on the ground in these zones.
And he said that the 18-mile wide DMZ, which would be implemented along the current frontlines, could be monitored “pretty easily”, as reported by The Times.
Last month, Putin mouthpiece Sergey Lavrov emphasised that the Kremlin would not accept peacekeeping troops from any NATO nation under any conditions”.
The latest suggestions are some of the clearest insights ever seen into Trump’s vision for securing peace in Ukraine.
They are also the first suggestion from a senior US official that the Dnipro river could become a demarcation line after a ceasefire is reached.
Kellogg did not suggest that western forces should cede any further territory east of the river to Putin.
And he later clarified his remarks on X, saying that the reassurance forces would still be “in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty” and that his plan “was NOT referring to a partitioning of Ukraine”.
Many Ukrainians may question why they are being compared to Nazi Germany in 1945, since they already have a functioning pro-western government.
While Germany was forced to surrender to invading armies, Ukraine would be inviting them in in order to provide “reassurance forces”.
The loose comparison between the two situations comes just weeks away from the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, VE Day.
It also came after Steve Witkoff, Trump’s top envoy, met with tyrant Putin on Friday in St Petersburg to discuss a truce.
An impatient Trump also blasted mad Vlad on Truth Social, saying: “Russia has to get moving.
“Too many people ere [sic] DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war — a war that should have never happened, and wouldn’t have happened, if I were president!!!”
The plans also came as Russia launched a barrage of drones on Ukraine over Friday night, injuring four people according to Kyiv.
Kellogg accepted that Putin, who has recently frustrated Trump with his lacklustre approach to peace talks, “might not accept” the carved-up Ukraine proposal.
He also said that the US supported fresh elections in Ukraine which are over a year overdue, possibly to make peace talks more attractive to Putin.
The Russian president has long undermined President Volodymyr Zelensky’s ability to lead, causing Trump to blast that he was “really angry” at Putin’s continued attacks on the Ukrainian leader.
Can there be peace?
BY Lydia Doye
EARLIER this year it seemed hopeful that world leaders would broker a peace deal in Ukraine.
But these hopes are wavering as Putin has repeatedly refused to cooperate, instead choosing to ramp up attacks on Ukraine.
Putin’s latest recruitment drive could have huge ramifications for peace with Donald Trump already voicing serious concerns over Putin’s readiness to agree to a ceasefire in recent days.
Putin has already angered the US President over refusing to commit to any truce agreement.
Trump previously admitted he was “p***ed off” with the Russian tyrant after he called for Zelensky’s removal from office in an effort to stall peace.
In Europe Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have put forward an idea to help maintain a future truce deal by sending their troops to patrol.
But this proposal has been widely condemned by Putin and his Kremlin pals sparking further Russia-European tensions.
Kelloggs added that relations between Washington and Kyiv are “back on track”, as he hinted to resumed talks over a proposed minerals team.
Ukrainian officials visited Washington on Friday to discuss the deal which aims to grant America significant access to Ukraine’s critical minerals.
It comes as Russia has continued its daily air strikes on Ukraine, calling into question mad Vlad’s desire for peace.
His desperation tactics to seize more land have been amplified this week after Zelensky claimed two Chinese soldiers fighting for Russia had been captured.
Ukraine’s president has now said that “several hundred” Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia.
And in a devastating attack earlier this month, 19 people, including nine children, were killed by a Russian missile in Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky’s hometown.
