Equipping Ukraine for Diplomatic discussions: Strategies on Military Aid

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has been the subject of numerous diplomatic initiatives, with the latest discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska failing to result in a ceasefire.

Amidst the ongoing standoff, the U.S. and its allies have been considering an alternative to Ukraine's entry into NATO: the creation of a coalition to arm the Ukrainian army and provide a collective defense mechanism. This proposal aims to offer Ukraine the necessary support without provoking further escalation with Russia.

Experts have proposed a strategic approach to negotiations, suggesting that they should proceed in two stages. The first stage would involve a security agreement between the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe, followed by a dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow on other issues.

Ukraine has made it clear that it will only discuss the conditions for ending the war after agreements on guarantees have been reached. Russia, on the other hand, may only agree to stop the war while maintaining control of some seized territories.

In an effort to find a resolution, a "Ten-Point Plan" was presented in June 2023 by a delegation including Cyril Ramaphosa and members of the African Union. However, this proposal was ultimately rejected by both Ukraine and Russia.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has taken diplomatic steps to resolve the war in Ukraine, including a subsequent summit in Washington, involving Zelensky and European leaders, focused on security guarantees for Ukraine.

In a potential solution, Ukraine may agree to a de facto recognition of the occupation temporarily, provided there are reliable guarantees of protection against new attacks. This could involve deploying European troops on Ukrainian territory and redeploying U.S. aviation closer to Ukraine's borders.

However, it's important to note that Russia should avoid participating in the negotiations regarding Ukraine to prevent a repeat of the mistakes from the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. The success of the negotiations depends on discipline and a correct sequence of actions, with security being addressed first, followed by borders.

Despite these efforts, the goal of a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with Trump's participation has not been achieved, resulting in the conflict continuing. The search for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine remains a priority for the international community.