Former US President Donald Trump recently engaged in discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and various European leaders, aiming for progress towards a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump highlighted that the two conflicting parties would need to negotiate the terms, given their unique understanding of the situation that external parties might not grasp.
Describing his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “excellent,” Trump expressed both frustration with the protracted conflict and a desire for a swift resolution. Following their dialogue, Putin acknowledged Russia’s willingness to discuss peace but indicated no significant breakthroughs had been achieved, emphasising the need for compromises acceptable to all involved. He mentioned Russia’s readiness to collaborate with Ukraine on developing a framework for a potential peace treaty while reinforcing the need to address the root causes of the crisis.
Russian adviser Yuri Ushakov noted the friendly nature of the conversation between Trump and Putin, with both leaders referring to each other by their first names. Trump extended an open invitation to Putin for further discussions, suggesting a possible face-to-face meeting in the future. Zelenskyy conveyed the importance of Ukraine being involved in any decisions that affect its future and pressed the need for robust sanctions against Russia.
In a subsequent call, Trump also conversed with leaders from France, Italy, and Finland, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, intensifying diplomatic efforts. Frustration within the US administration was noted, as they sought a resolution to a war that has persisted since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, with White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt affirming Trump’s desire for a peaceful outcome.
While striving to leverage his personal relationships to facilitate negotiations, Trump’s administration remains firm on addressing any lack of sincerity from Russia regarding peace talks, with potential additional sanctions on the table. His former treasury secretary Scott Bessent deemed earlier sanctions insufficient, particularly regarding Russia’s oil revenues, which remain crucial to its economy.
Despite a recent rejection of a ceasefire proposal from Zelenskyy, both nations committed to exchanging 1,000 prisoners of war. Talks in Turkey, the first direct negotiations since March 2022, concluded without a ceasefire agreement but demonstrated an ongoing commitment to dialogue. As negotiations continue, both Trump and Zelenskyy are working closely to align their strategies and pressures against Russia, aiming to bring an end to the conflict and restore stability in the region.