In a recent post on Truth Social, former US President Donald Trump suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy holds the key to ending the ongoing war with Russia. Trump stated, “President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.” This comment highlighted the ongoing conflict, which began three years ago when Russia launched an unprovoked attack, resulting in significant loss of life, with estimates of military casualties nearing 1 million on both sides.
Trump implied that for a peace deal to be reached, Zelenskyy may need to concede the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia has occupied since 2014. He dismissed the prospect of Ukraine entering NATO, asserting that this situation mirrors past failures, remarking, “No getting back Obama given Crimea… and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE.” His post comes shortly after his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, which reportedly did not yield any concrete plans for a ceasefire or significant concessions from Putin.
According to Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, during the meeting, Russia agreed to a crucial concession that allows the US to offer NATO-like protections to Ukraine, a demand long pressed by Zelenskyy. This development was deemed a potential game-changer, the first of its kind in negotiations with Russia.
Zelenskyy is preparing for a second meeting with Trump at the White House, joined by leaders from across Europe, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reinforcing a united front in the aftermath of ongoing tensions with Russia.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated a readiness to consider sending troops as part of any future United Nations peacekeeping efforts, emphasising the need for a thorough approach before such discussions could move forward. He remarked on the lack of trust between Putin and democratic leaders, asserting that Ukraine must not have decisions imposed upon it and must actively participate in negotiations.
As the situation evolves, it remains clear that the road to peace is fraught with challenges, and the international community continues to monitor developments closely.