Trump Should Build a Wall to End the War in Ukraine

 

Negotiations to end war in Ukraine again stalled. Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from the most effective defensive position they have in the country because its residents are one of few pro-Russian people left in Ukraine. Ukraine refuses to do so because they have good reason to suspect that once defensive line is in Russian hands, they will roll over the rest of the country unopposed. Break through does not look in sight.

However, there is a clever way out of this seamlessly unsolvable predicament, and it involves one of Trump's signature policies: building a wall.

To be exactly precise Trump should offer both sides that Americans will come down to Ukraine and build a series of defensive fortifications that will separate conflicting siders from each other. The Wall can mostly follow existing line of contact, with exception of Donetsk Oblast where it will follow its administrative border with Dnipro and Kharkiv oblasts instead.

If Russia does not have any further ambitions beyond Donbas, such solutions will suit them. Regardless of what Moscow planning, it will be hard for them to argue against this initiative without looking dishonest. As a bonus for Russia, Ukrainian troops still fighting in Donbas should be required to fly a flag different from regular troops stationed in other parts of Ukraine, possibly an UPA flag. That Russian troops have better idea who they are allowed to attack and whom not.

Ukraine should not be against it either. Sure, the wall leaves certain parts of country outside of its protection, but it's better than nothing and more fortifications is always better than less. Once wall is completed it will push Ukrainian troops towards withdrawing behind it. While it will not require Ukrainian troops to withdraw voluntarily from Donbas as Russia wants, the very fact that is it there and there is protection behind the wall and Russian shelling outside of it, will push Ukrainian troops towards withdrawing.

All security guarantees can also be tied to the wall. Americans will only interfere if Russia crosses the wall into Kyiv direction but will do nothing if Russians stay east of the wall. The wall will provide certainty to each side; Ukrainians will know it's safe west of the wall and Russians will know to not cross it in the western direction if they do not want Americans to bomb Moscow.

Wall and its protection should also extend towards existing Ukrainian borders with Russia and Belarus. We do not want Russia to go around these restrictions by attacking where there is no wall or going through Belarus again.

Agreement on wall should also come with a partial ceasefire in all oblasts but Donetsk one. While it will not stop the war completely, it will certainly reduce it in scale and fighting will gradually draw down.

Perfect is enemy of the good, while a complete ceasefire is out of reach for now, a solution that will reduce fighting, damage and losses for both sides is certainly possible. A Wall in Ukraine is this solution.