US President-elect Donald Trump could force Kiev to give up its claims to regions already controlled by Russia. This was stated by the former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Europe, US Navy Reserve Admiral James Stavridis.
„I believe he will apply pressure to bring both sides to the negotiating table,” Stavridis said in an interview with CNN. “Ultimately, Russia will keep the territories that are now under its control.“
According to the admiral, together with the relinquishment of part of the territories for Ukraine, a “free path to NATO“ will be opened, in which case the country can be accepted into the alliance within three to five years. According to Stavridis, "this is not the worst outcome" and “this is probably how the Ukrainian crisis will end”.
The former supreme commander of NATO's allied forces in Europe also believes that Trump will put pressure on European countries to increase defense spending.