Russia is likely to retain control over 20% of the territory on the Ukraine — NYT

Russia is likely to retain control over the occupied territory on Ukraine after the end of the conflict. This was reported by The New York Times with reference to interlocutors among representatives of Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

The sources expressed their opinion in private conversations, the newspaper writes.

"Russia is likely to maintain its forces on about 20% of the territory of Ukraine... as part of a truce similar to the one that stopped, but did not end, the Korean War in 1953," the article quoted by Strana.

It is noted that the issue of future security guarantees will become "a more complex part of any agreement" and "its outlines are vague."

The publication mentions the option in which the stop of fire can be provided by European peacekeeping forces, "most likely under the leadership of British, German and French troops." However, the key issue here will be Donald Trump's willingness to provide this group with intelligence and weapons, as well as to retain permission for Kiev to launch long-range strikes against Russia, sources in the Biden administration told NYT.

"Trump hinted, but did not say that he could revoke this permission. And his vice president, J.D. Vance, was one of the leading critics of the continuation of American military support," the newspaper recalls.

At the same time, "the Russians want a much larger deal — one in which the United States will withdraw its troops and weapons from Europe," and "Trump remains silent on this," the newspaper notes.