Trump Pushes for Peace in Ukraine: A Call for Negotiation with Putin
In a significant escalation of diplomatic efforts, former US President Donald Trump has intensified his pursuit of a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. On February 12, Trump revealed that he had a lengthy conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which they agreed to initiate negotiations. The announcement was made via a post on Truth Social, where Trump emphasized the importance of close collaboration between their respective nations. "We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately," he stated.
Following his discussion with Putin, Trump spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, although he remained noncommittal about Ukraine's role in the negotiations. "I think they have to make peace. Their people are dying," Trump remarked, underlining the urgent need for resolution.
In a challenging turn for Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conveyed to NATO allies in Brussels that expecting Ukraine's borders to revert to their 2014 status was unrealistic. He added that the current administration does not view NATO membership as a viable solution to the conflict. Trump's comments echoed this sentiment, suggesting that offering Ukraine NATO membership would not be practical.
These remarks from Trump’s administration signify a strategic shift, raising concerns among analysts and supporters of Ukraine. Oxana Shevel, a political science professor at Tufts University, expressed apprehension that laying favorable groundwork for negotiations might undermine Ukraine's standing. "Ukrainians have already realized that hopes of joining NATO are unlikely to be on the table during negotiations to end the war," she stated. She also cautioned that allowing early concessions could hinder Ukraine’s bargaining power.
Russia has asserted control over approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including the Crimean Peninsula, while ongoing military operations have intensified in the eastern Donbas region. Amidst these dynamics, Hegseth suggested that Ukraine should prepare for a negotiated settlement, possibly supported by international troops. However, he made it clear that US forces would not be involved in any security guarantees related to such a settlement.
Despite the potentially disheartening news, Zelenskyy remained optimistic about the conversations with Trump. He highlighted their mutual interest in achieving peace and expressed readiness for cooperative actions to halt Russian aggression. "Ukraine wants peace more than anyone. We will determine our joint steps with America to stop the Russian aggression and guarantee a reliable prolonged peace," Zelenskyy affirmed in a series of social media posts.
The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Trump expressed a desire for an immediate cessation of hostilities, advocating for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. Peskov noted that both leaders acknowledged the need to understand and eliminate the root causes of the conflict, agreeing that a lasting settlement could be reached through negotiations.
As the three-year mark of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, diplomatic efforts are gaining momentum ahead of the upcoming Munich Security Conference scheduled from February 14 to 16, where Zelenskyy and senior US officials plan to engage in discussions.
In another diplomatic initiative, Zelenskyy held a meeting in Kyiv with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on February 12 to discuss a potential agreement regarding Ukraine's critical mineral resources. The US has expressed keen interest in these rare earth minerals, and an initial draft agreement was presented during their discussions. Both parties are hopeful that a deal can be finalized at the Munich conference, potentially reinforcing Ukraine with a security framework once hostilities conclude.
Trump has also indicated his intention to meet with Putin, possibly in Saudi Arabia, and mentioned plans for bilateral meetings with Zelenskyy in the near future, aiming for a collaborative approach to end the conflict.
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