According to Western publications, Donald Trump has prepared a peace plan for the war in Ukraine, but it includes the condition that Kiev give up its territories, including Crimea. Parallels immediately appeared with the division of Germany after World War II. But there are also two fundamental differences, writes Focus.de.
US President Donald Trump proposes the division of Ukraine in his peace plan. The territories occupied by the Russian army in Eastern Ukraine will de facto be placed under the control of Moscow, and Crimea - de jure - will become Russian territory. Kiev has repeatedly stated that it will never give up its lands.
Correspondent of the German publication Focus Ulrich Reitz sees obvious parallels with the division of Germany after World War II. However, the German Basic Law stated that the German question remained open. Accordingly, Crimea would be lost to Ukraine forever, while Eastern Ukraine would have a chance to unite with Ukraine. This could happen, if at all, only after 50 years.
Although the parallels with German history are obvious, there are fundamental differences between then and now.
Germany was the aggressor then, Ukraine is the victim today. That is the first big difference. The second: Germany had already surrendered, was occupied by the four powers, and Ukraine is still at war. That stops the comparison. In some cases, history repeats itself. But in large parts it is not.
US President Donald Trump rebuked Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday for saying that Ukraine would not recognize Russia's occupation of Crimea, saying it was a provocative statement that would make a peace deal with Russia more difficult to achieve, Reuters reported.