Donald Trumps claim that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours apparently involves pushing the country to surrender Crimea and the Donbas border region to Russia , sources familiar with the plan told The Washington Post in Sundays edition.

Trump has privately asserted that Russia and Ukraine want to save face, they want a way out and that some Ukrainians would be OK with belonging to Russia, a person who spoke directly with Trump told the Post.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the possibility of turning over land. Russias unlawful invasion of Ukraine has entered its third year, with more than 500,000 people killed or seriously injured , according to intelligence estimates.

A Trump campaign spokesperson called the article speculation but did not address the Posts specific questions about the reported strategy, which would reverse President Joe Biden s attempt to blunt Russian expansion with military aid to Ukraine. The presidents approach has put him at odds with many Republicans .

Foreign policy experts and at least one prominent GOP senator took a dim view of Trumps reported thinking. He cant win at the end of this, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said (per the Post) of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose aggression would be rewarded if the ceding of Ukrainian territory came to pass.

Caving to Russia for a cease-fire would not guarantee Ukraine future peace with its neighbor either, Stimson Center senior fellow Emma Ashford told the paper. That is a terrible deal, she said of Trumps alleged proposal.

The former president has given public indications of siding with Russia. In February, Trump said he would encourage [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want to NATO countries that didnt pay their dues.

Trump has repeatedly boasted he could settle the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if elected president.