The newly elected President of the USA, Donald Trump, engaged in a groundbreaking discussion with the Russian President, marking a potential thaw in international relations. They reached an agreement to continue these important discussions. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted that while the two leaders discussed various topics, including the Middle East and Iran, the primary focus was Ukraine.
Trump significantly shifted the USA’s three-year stance on Ukraine, announcing that both he and the Russian leader agreed to initiate talks aimed at ending the ongoing war. He shared that he had a conversation with Putin lasting over an hour, optimistically stating, “I think we are on the path to peace.”
Further, Trump disclosed that he later spoke with Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, but did not clarify whether Ukraine would be an equal participant in these US-Russian discussions. “I think President Putin wants peace, President Zelensky wants peace, and I also want peace,” Trump declared during a briefing in the Oval Office.
Key Insights from Trump’s Conversation with Putin:
“People didn’t know what Putin really thought. But I can say with certainty that he also wants this to end. This is good, and we are working to finish everything as soon as possible,” Trump expressed. He also anticipated a likely personal meeting with Putin soon, possibly in Saudi Arabia.
In parallel, Zelensky shared on social media about his “important conversation” with Trump, where they explored “the possibilities of achieving peace” and discussed “Kyiv’s readiness to work together.” “I am grateful to President Trump,” Zelensky affirmed.
USA Excludes Ukraine’s NATO Membership
Post the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration, along with other NATO members, seemed committed to ensuring Kyiv’s integration into the Western military alliance. However, Trump provided a different perspective: “They have been saying long before Putin’s presidency that they would never allow this (Ukraine’s NATO membership). This will continue for many years.”
Pete Hegseth, the USA’s Secretary of Defense, described the goals of returning Ukraine to its pre-2014 borders and achieving NATO membership as “unrealistic,” emphasizing Trump’s commitment to diplomatically concluding the conflict with Russia. “We want a sovereign and thriving Ukraine. But first, we must admit that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic goal. Chasing this impossible goal will only prolong the war and cause suffering,” Hegseth explained to his colleagues.
He also clarified that US troops would not engage in Ukraine’s peacekeeping missions, which are intended to stabilize future peace agreements, and such missions will not be covered under NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause.
Territorial Exchanges Ruled Out
Meanwhile, Moscow dismissed the Ukrainian proposal for territorial exchanges. Maria Zakharova, a representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Russia has no plans to negotiate the exchange of the part of the Kursk region controlled by Ukrainian forces for Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.
Previously, Zelensky proposed exchanging part of the Kursk region for a portion of Ukraine annexed by Russia during peace talks. “We will exchange one territory for another,” Zelensky mentioned, although he was unsure which part of annexed Ukraine Russia might demand.
Position of Strength and Investment Incentives
The Ukrainian President expressed readiness for negotiations with Russia, insisting that Kyiv approaches talks from a position of strength. Zelensky also noted his offer of reconstruction contracts and investment incentives to American companies, aiming to secure the goodwill of the US President. He criticized suggestions that Europe alone could ensure Ukraine’s security without American involvement, stating, “There are voices saying that Europe can offer security guarantees without the Americans, and I always say no to this. Real security guarantees without the United States are not real security guarantees,” the Ukrainian leader firmly stated.
