On 20 January, Donald Trump officially took office as President of the United States. He made many different promises that he intends to fulfil in his new position, including ending the war in Ukraine. Therefore, in recent weeks, most international media outlets have been writing about achieving peace in Ukraine, strengthening Ukraine's and Europe's defence capabilities, and the potential deployment of peacekeeping forces after peace is achieved.
An interesting article was published in The Wall Street Journal, where the author argues that Ukraine can achieve a just and lasting outcome in this war, but only with the help of the United States.
Helping Ukraine succeed remains a fundamental American national security interest. Russia seeks to legitimise territorial gains by force. If russia's aggression in Ukraine is not stopped, moscow could threaten North Atlantic Treaty members on its eastern flank, and aggressors around the world will be more inclined to emulate russia's behaviour. It is no coincidence that Iran, China and North Korea are increasing their support for russia. These countries are aware that a russian victory in Ukraine will help them achieve their own goals and aspirations.
Trump has recently made it clear that he will put pressure on the russian federation and likely impose additional sanctions if putin refuses to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. According to him, if there is no agreement in the near future, he will have no choice but to impose high taxes, tariffs and sanctions on everything that is sold. This was reported by Reuters.
In an exclusive interview with Politico, British leader Keir Starmer pledged to play a "full role" in any peace initiative that emerges from Trump's return, including the potential deployment of British troops in a peacekeeping role. However, it is vital that all of Ukraine's other allies now increase their military support and strengthen President Zelenskyy's bargaining position with russia.
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, said that at least 200,000 European peacekeepers would be needed to prevent a new russian attack after any ceasefire agreement, according to Reuters. He also called on European leaders to do more to protect the continent.
Ukraine has repeatedly proved to be an effective partner in weakening the russian army and ensuring security on the European continent, so further support from the United States is essential for our country to achieve a just and lasting peace. Therefore, the United States has led a historic effort to help Ukraine protect its sovereignty, defend itself against russian aggression, and defend democratic values.
Ukraine can enter future negotiations from a position of strength and achieve an acceptable outcome in this war, but only if the US continues to support the Ukrainian military and exerts economic pressure on russia.

As President Trump seeks to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, it is imperative that the U.S. continue to support the Ukrainian military. Ukraine can reach a just and lasting outcome to this war, but only with our help.
Second, with U.S. help, Ukraine can push Russia to engage in meaningful negotiations. Russia wants the world to believe it can sustain its military campaign indefinitely, but the current landscape tells a different story. The Russian military is struggling, and the Russian economy is deteriorating. Thanks in part to U.S. and allied sanctions, inflation in Russia is above 9%, and its benchmark interest rate is at 21%.

The key to securing Europe at less cost to U.S. taxpayers may be sitting in European bank accounts. The West has frozen around $300 billion of Russian foreign-exchange assets, but European obstinacy has prevented these funds from being used to compensate Ukraine for war damages. President-elect Trump should insist that the Kremlin’s reserves be mobilized to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction and future arms purchases.
Russia has caused more than $150 billion in direct damage to Ukraine and nearly $500 billion in economic losses, according to the World Bank. Ukraine will need external funds of this magnitude to rebuild, and more in the meantime to rearm itself with continued purchases of Western weapons.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would likely impose sanctions on Russia if its president, Vladimir Putin, refuses to negotiate about ending the war in Ukraine.
Trump gave no details on possible additional sanctions. The United States has already sanctioned Russia heavily for its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Trump said his administration was also looking at the issue of sending weapons to Ukraine, adding his view that the European Union should be doing more to support Ukraine.

Germany is calling on EU countries to take a tougher stance on hybrid threats coming from Russia — including by expanding the bloc’s sanctions regime and limiting access to Europe by Moscow’s diplomatic missions.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock circulated proposals drawn up by her ministry in the run-up to next week’s meeting of her European counterparts in Brussels “with the aim to pave the way for coordinated measures,” according to her ministry in Berlin.

European allies must step in to help Ukraine fight Russia, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said, amid concerns Donald Trump will cut U.S. support when he returns to the White House next week.
In an exclusive interview with POLITICO, the U.K. leader committed to playing “a full part” in any peace initiative that comes with Trump’s return in the days and weeks ahead — including potentially deploying British troops in a peacekeeping role.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer signaled he would be ready to consider sending British forces to Ukraine to help “guarantee” the peace when the war eventually comes to a halt.
Britain will “play our part” in supporting the peace when it eventually comes, Starmer told reporters when asked about the idea after holding talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday.
Asked about post-war peacekeeping, Starmer said: "Let me be very clear to everybody here in Ukraine when I say we will work with you and all of our allies on steps that would be robust enough to guarantee Ukraine’s security, to guarantee any possible peace and deter any future aggression."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is seeking a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, said on Tuesday that at least 200,000 European peacekeepers would be needed to prevent a new Russian attack after any ceasefire deal.
The Ukrainian leader, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland a day after Trump returned to power following months of promises to end the war in Ukraine quickly, also urged European leaders to do more to defend the continent.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy appealed to President Donald Trump as he made it clear that the US military would be an essential component in any effective peacekeeping force. “It can’t be without the United States,” the Ukrainian leader said in an TV interview with Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait in Davos. “Even if some European friends think it can be, no it can’t be. Nobody will risk without the United States.” Zelenskiy is also trying to persuade China to use its influence on Moscow to help end the fighting, though he expressed frustration that he hasn’t managed to speak more often to President Xi Jinping.
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