**Putin’s Peace Plans**
Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to stop Ukraine from ever joining NATO. He also wants to reduce the number of allied troops in Eastern Europe, according to a former Kremlin official.
**Meeting with Trump**
The Kremlin is willing to meet with US President-elect Donald Trump to discuss a peace deal for Ukraine. However, no date has been set yet. Moscow says any meeting will only happen after Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
**Trump’s Plans**
Trump wants to bring Ukraine and Russia together to negotiate a peace deal. He previously said that specific proposals are still being worked out. A leaked proposal from his team included freezing the front lines, postponing Ukraine’s NATO membership by 20 years, and deploying European peacekeepers.
**Russia Rejects Trump’s Plan**
However, Russia has rejected this proposal. The US President-elect has often shown sympathies for Putin, which has raised fears that he might cut a deal unfavorable to Ukraine.
**Ukraine’s Stand**
Ukraine is pushing hard to join NATO after the full-scale invasion by Russia. The country believes joining the alliance will ensure Russia does not resume its aggression in the future.
**Challenges Ahead**
Both Ukraine and Russia face significant challenges related to the ongoing war. Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold back Russia’s advance due to manpower shortages, while Russia is grappling with soaring inflation caused by record military spending.
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