Trump Eyes Peace Talks with Putin Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict
US President Donald Trump has revealed that he has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about potential pathways to resolve the escalating conflict in Ukraine, which marks nearly three years since the beginning of Moscow's full-scale invasion. In an interview with The New York Post published on February 8, Trump articulated his desire to see an end to the bloodshed, emphasizing that he wants to stop the daily loss of lives. "Every day people are dying. This war is so bad in Ukraine. I want to end this damn thing," he stated, without specifying when his recent conversation with Putin took place or the details of their discussions.
While Trump acknowledged his historically positive relationship with Putin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hinted at the possibility of their dialogue, stating that, amid various communications, he might be unaware of certain developments. Despite the ongoing attempts of U.S. officials to broker peace, the conflict has resulted in over 1 million soldiers wounded or killed on both sides, according to Western estimates.
Trump's national security advisors have indicated a strategy involving both coercion and inducement to bring Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table for ceasefire discussions. As part of this diplomatic push, Keith Kellogg, the lead White House envoy for Russia and Ukraine, is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference, opening on February 14.
In a notable development, Trump indicated his potential meeting with Zelenskyy next week in Washington, further illustrating the U.S. effort to facilitate an end to the Ukrainian conflict. While details of any prospective agreements remain scarce, Kellogg has suggested that compromise from both sides will be crucial for any peace dialogues to succeed.
Ukrainian officials are cautiously observing these developments, as pressure mounts for direct conversations between Moscow and Kyiv, likely under U.S. mediation. Historically, Putin has regarded Zelenskyy as an illegitimate leader, though recent commentary from the Kremlin suggests a shift toward negotiation.
In a broader context, the interview also touched on Trump's ambitions for a nuclear deal with Iran, highlighting the complex geopolitical landscape currently facing U.S. foreign policy. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rebuffed the prospect of discussions with the United States, asserting that such negotiations would fail to resolve Iran's issues.
As the situation evolves, Trump's administration continues to advocate for measures to restore stability in both Ukraine and Iran, underlying the intertwined nature of these international crises.
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