Ukraine war settlement speculation soars as Munich conference nears

ALMOST three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the fighting on the battlefield between pro-Moscow and pro-Kyiv forces remains intense. Yet, speculation is soaring over a settlement of the conflict, which will be a key topic at the Munich Security Conference taking place from Friday (Feb 14) to Sunday.

To be sure, US President Donald Trump’s administration has dismissed the growing reportage that it will present at the event a much-anticipated plan to end the war. However, Trump’s special representative for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, has confirmed that there is “a good, solid plan” that has been developed.

This plan reportedly includes freezing current battle lines, which would leave Moscow in control of at least around 20 per cent of the February 2022 geography of Ukraine. In exchange, Kyiv would be given Western security guarantees to try to help ensure that Russia won’t attack again.