Trump-Putin deal forcing Ukraine to give up territory would breach international law, lawyers say
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Experts fear deal between US president-elect and his Russian counterpart would ‘enshrine aggression as a legitimate way to redraw borders’. The incoming US president Donald Trump could risk violating international law – as well as sending a “chilling” message to aggressors around the world – if he forces Ukraine to give up territory as part of a peace deal with Russia, human rights lawyers have warned.
What to do about Ukraine will be one of the most pressing questions facing Mr Trump when he returns to the White House on Monday, having promised to end the war in a day. His campaign advisers are already slowly backtracking from that particular promise.
On Wednesday, Russia showed the first signs of warming up to the Republican leader and convicted felon, praising his remarks about the crisis in Europe and saying Moscow is ready for talks with Mr Trump. Ukraine and its allies fear Mr Trump will want to force a quick peace deal by making Kyiv give up some or all of the territory it has lost since being invaded by Russia in February 2022.
On Sunday, Mr Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz said that the president-elect has acknowledged the “reality” of Ukraine’s position. “I just don’t think it’s realistic to say we’re going to expel every Russian from every inch of Ukrainian soil, even Crimea. President Trump has acknowledged that reality, and I think it’s been a huge step forward that the entire world is acknowledging that reality. Now let’s move forward,” he said.
