Trump Initiates Ukraine Peace Efforts as Talks with Putin Loom
President Trump plans to meet with President Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss the Ukraine war, with negotiations officially kicking off. He suggests Ukraine may need to concede Crimea and NATO ambitions to reach a resolution. Trump’s Cabinet is actively involved in coordinating these efforts as the conflict approaches its third anniversary, with Zelenskyy expressing concerns over security guarantees without U.S. involvement.
President Donald Trump has announced that he anticipates meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Although the specific date of this meeting remains undecided, Trump confirmed that Ukraine will not be part of these discussions. On Wednesday, he stated that official talks to end the nearly three-year war have commenced, following discussions with both leaders and the appointment of a negotiation team.
In a notable development, Trump conducted a call with Putin, marking the first of its kind since his inauguration, after initially withholding confirmation of such an interaction. He also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he met previously in December. These conversations indicate a significant increase in the U.S. commitment to resolving the conflict, which is particularly timely as the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaches.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump expressed his intent to resolve the conflict promptly, stating that he aims to end the war within the next six months. Meanwhile, during a visit to Europe, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth suggested that Ukraine may have to concede Crimea and forgo NATO aspirations to facilitate a potential agreement. Trump concurred with this assessment, deeming it impractical to revert to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders.
The Kremlin has extended an invitation for Trump to visit Russia during their latest conversation. Trump hinted at the possibility of reciprocal visits and emphasized mutual cooperation between the nations. He also indicated he would consider traveling to Ukraine following a reporter’s inquiry regarding such a visit.
In restructuring his negotiation team, Trump appointed several key officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, but notably excluded special envoy to Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg from the leadership of the talks. Despite this change, the White House reassured that Kellogg remains part of the administration and is currently heading to Kyiv.
While members of Trump’s Cabinet engage with leaders in Europe, Hegseth outlined Trump’s negotiation approach to allied nations, underscoring that Ukraine’s return to pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic target. He emphasized the necessity of recognizing that NATO membership for Ukraine is not a feasible outcome and proposed alternative security guarantees that would involve European and non-European troops without deploying U.S. forces.
Zelenskyy has voiced skepticism regarding the role of Europe in providing adequate security guarantees without U.S. support, indicating that such assurances would lack substance. He remarked, “Security guarantees without America are not real security guarantees.” The ongoing dialogues reflect a complex geopolitical landscape as all parties seek a resolution to the conflict.
In summary, President Trump is advocating for peace talks regarding the Ukraine conflict, engaging with both Russian and Ukrainian leaders. The planned meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia and the restructuring of his negotiation team signifies a renewed strategy. However, Trump’s administration suggests Ukraine may have to concede significant territorial claims, raising questions about the viability of achieving a comprehensive resolution. The dynamics of these negotiations will be closely monitored as they unfold.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
