JD Vance: Russia will retain seized territories in Ukraine

J.D. Vance, Vice President-elect Donald Trump’s running mate, outlined his thoughts on a plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war according to Al-Jazeera. 

This was following Trump’s statement that preparations are underway for a meeting between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to Vance, Russia would retain the territories it has seized in Ukraine, a position that contrasts with the Biden administration’s policies, which have included substantial support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

Vance suggested that "any peace settlement would likely follow this scenario: the current front lines would become a demilitarized zone, Ukraine would receive guarantees regarding its sovereignty, and Russia would be assured that Ukraine remains neutral and does not join NATO."

Russia’s control over Ukrainian territories

Russia currently occupies Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, and controls around 80 percent of the Donbas region, including Donetsk and Luhansk. It also holds more than 70 percent of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, along with smaller parts of Mykolaiv and Kharkiv.

Moscow’s conditions for ending the war

Russia has outlined several key conditions for ending the war:

• Constitutional changes: Ukraine must permanently renounce joining any military alliance.
• Territorial recognition: Ukraine must acknowledge Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia as Russian territories.
• Disarmament: Ukraine must demilitarize and eliminate what Moscow labels as "Nazi, nationalist, and chauvinist influences.