Trump and Putin Initiate Peace Talks Amid Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine
In a significant diplomatic development, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to negotiate an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. During a lengthy phone call on Wednesday, Trump reported that he and Putin had a "long and very productive conversation," which he shared on his social media platform, Truth Social. The leaders agreed to mutual visits and directed their teams to commence immediate talks aimed at ceasing the violence that has resulted in countless lives lost.
Trump expressed optimism about the negotiations, indicating that they could lead to a successful resolution in the near future. Following his discussions with Putin, Trump reached out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to brief him on the talks, a conversation that lasted an hour as confirmed by both the White House and Kyiv. However, the specifics of their discussions and the role Ukraine will play in the negotiations remain unclear.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted that during his call with Trump, Putin emphasized the necessity of addressing the causes of the conflict in Ukraine, though it remains uncertain what those causes specifically entail. In response to the announcement of peace talks, Zelensky expressed a cautious yet hopeful sentiment, noting that "no one wishes for peace more than Ukraine." He reiterated Ukraine's commitment to working alongside the US to strategize the next steps to halt Russian aggression and achieve a sustainable peace.
This diplomatic push by Trump follows a recent prisoner exchange facilitated by his advisor, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow. The upcoming Munich Security Conference, beginning Friday, is expected to focus heavily on this new initiative. US Vice President JD Vance is set to meet with Zelensky during the conference.
The war began in February 2022 when Russian troops launched a full-scale invasion, following the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Since then, the conflict has resulted in severe casualties and displacement, with one-fifth of Ukraine currently occupied by Russian forces. Despite Trump’s earlier declarations that deemed the invasion a "mistake," his commitment to ending the war has been met with skepticism, particularly given his contrasting statements on the viability of negotiations.
In a recent policy shift, newly appointed US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth articulated that the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO was unrealistic, paralleling a call for increased military spending among NATO member states. While the US continues to support Ukrainian sovereignty, Hegseth underscored that European and non-European forces should lead in ensuring security, explicitly stating that US troops would not be stationed in Ukraine.
Trump's MAGA movement has been critical of the financial support extended to Ukraine, viewing it as unnecessary expense. Nonetheless, military aid to Ukraine also fuels the domestic industry, making the stance more contentious. Recently, Trump hinted at a desire for compensation for US support in the form of Ukrainian minerals valued at $500 billion.
Despite the latest developments, Ukraine remains cautious, noting a lack of observable willingness from Moscow to engage sincerely in peace talks. While Russian advances in eastern Ukraine continue, Zelensky and Ukrainian officials have firmly ruled out concessions over their territorial integrity, emphasizing the necessity of recognizing Ukrainian sovereignty. Notably, an interview with Zelensky in The Economist highlighted concerns that pivotal decisions regarding Ukraine's future may be made without their direct involvement, indicating the high stakes at play in the ongoing negotiations between Trump and Putin.
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