In a striking development regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, President Trump’s envoy to the country, suggested a peace deal that could see Ukraine divided into zones of control, resembling the post-World War Two division of Berlin.
Speaking to The Times, Kellogg described a scenario where Western troops, led by British and French forces, would occupy the western part of the country, while Russian forces would control the east.
Ukrainian forces would hold a demilitarized zone along the Dnipro River, effectively splitting the country into two zones.
A Peace Deal Resembling the Berlin Model
Kellogg’s comments raised eyebrows, drawing parallels with the division of Germany after 1945, where zones were set up under the control of different Allied powers, including the Russians, French, and British.
He proposed a “reassurance force” consisting of Western troops, particularly in the western half of Ukraine, while maintaining that no American forces would be stationed in the country.
The key idea would be to ensure that the troops would not provoke the Kremlin, much like the situation in Berlin post-WWII.
Kellogg’s proposal centers on the Dnipro River, which divides Ukraine roughly north to south, and could act as a natural line of demarcation.
Russia’s Dismissal of the Peace Talks
While the suggestion of peace brought attention to the possibility of a resolution, the Kremlin’s response was far from cooperative.
Russian officials dismissed the critical talks between President Putin and U.S. peace envoy Steve Witkoff, calling them “not momentous” and asserting that no concessions would be made.
This rejection of peace talks sent ripples through international diplomatic channels, with President Trump expressing frustration on his Truth Social platform, urging Putin to “get moving” on reaching a peace deal to prevent further bloodshed.
The Kremlin has already rejected a ceasefire proposal backed by the United States, further complicating prospects for peace.
Continued Support for Ukraine Amid Uncertainty
As the situation remains tense, Ukraine’s allies are ramping up support for the embattled nation.
On Friday, a record €21 billion (£18.2 billion) in military aid was pledged, including substantial contributions from the UK and Norway for radar systems, anti-tank mines, vehicle repairs, and drones.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace underscored the importance of 2025, calling it a “critical year” in the war’s outcome.
Despite the generous international aid and ongoing support for Ukraine, peace seems elusive as Russia’s aggression continues.
The Road to Peace Still Uncertain
Despite diplomatic efforts from the U.S. and Europe to broker a ceasefire, there remains little confidence that hostilities will subside anytime soon.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warned that ongoing Russian aggression means peace in Ukraine is unlikely in the near future.
With both sides deeply entrenched and differing visions of what peace might look like, the path to resolution remains fraught with challenges.
