In a surprising shift, former US President Donald Trump expressed skepticism regarding Ukraine’s potential accession to NATO, casting doubt on Ukraine’s ability to completely reclaim its territory. “Practicality comes into play here,” he remarked during a round of discussions that included both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Earlier today, Trump embarked on what appears to be a pivotal diplomatic effort aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict that has gripped Ukraine since Russia’s invasion two years ago. “We expect to meet in the future, probably in Saudi Arabia,” he suggested, hinting at a possible new chapter in US-Russian relations.
The former president described his conversation with Putin as “good” and lasting over an hour. Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, Trump highlighted the importance of open dialogue between nations, acknowledging the complex historical backdrop that colors current events.
The Kremlin also confirmed that Putin and Trump had agreed to a future meeting and that Trump had received an invitation to visit Moscow, a proposal that could carry substantial diplomatic weight. Sources indicated that discussions had revolved around neutral venues like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as potential meeting spots.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump characterized the call as “lengthy and highly productive,” revealing their agreement to address the profound tensions stemming from the Ukraine crisis. “We discussed various topics, from the war in Ukraine to pressing issues in the Middle East and even artificial intelligence,” Trump elaborated.
Addressing the severity of the Ukraine war, he lamented the loss of life, stating, “We want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the war with Russia and Ukraine,” reiterating a commitment to seek a peaceful resolution, even if his statistics remain controversial.
Trump further asserted that he and Putin had pledged to collaborate closely, including engaging in reciprocal visits between their nations. “We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately,” he added, revealing a desire for tangible progress.
Before assuming office, Trump had vowed to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine. However, his prior reticence towards direct contact with Putin had raised eyebrows. Yet, today marked a turning point, as he announced plans to communicate with Zelensky to brief him on the conversation with his Russian counterpart.
The Ukrainian presidency soon confirmed that Zelensky had indeed spoken with Trump. “We had a meaningful conversation about potential pathways to conclude the nearly three-year invasion by Russia,” Zelensky shared on social media, expressing gratitude for Trump’s willingness to engage meaningfully. He emphasized the need for collaboration at all levels.
Simultaneously, Zelensky has been navigating the delicate dance of maintaining US support while voicing Ukraine’s unyielding demands for peace. With no formal peace talks transpiring since the early days of the conflict, this recent development carries both hope and trepidation.
Earlier this week, signs of thawing relations emerged with a rare prisoner exchange, where Russia released American teacher Marc Fogel, and the US reciprocated by freeing Russian cybercriminal Alexander Vinnik. Could this exchange signal a greater willingness to negotiate?
In a moment of levity, Trump praised Putin on Truth Social, noting, “He even echoed my campaign motto of ‘common sense.’” This unexpected commendation suggests a softening in rhetoric that could pave the way for future negotiations. The Kremlin echoed sentiments of collaboration, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating, “President Trump spoke in favor of stopping hostilities as soon as possible,” reinforcing the notion that dialogue is the preferred route.
Nonetheless, Putin emphasized that any agreement must aim to “address the root causes of the conflict,” leaving the details shrouded in ambiguity. Trump has since tasked key figures in his cabinet to lead the charge on negotiations. In his words, “I feel strongly that these efforts will be successful.”
As the situation evolves, Zelensky has floated concepts of territorial exchanges, yet these proposals met swift rejection from Russian officials. The backdrop of such discussions remains complicated and fraught with emotion, evidenced by a recent barrage of airstrikes that devastated Kyiv.
Looking ahead, Zelensky is set to meet with US Vice President JD Vance on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. The stakes are high as he hopes to secure an economic agreement that could fortify Ukraine’s position.
While the dynamics appear to be shifting, the volatility of international relations persists. Let us remain cautiously optimistic, observing how these leaders navigate this multifaceted landscape in pursuit of peace.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
