Trump signals shift in US policy on Ukraine, initiates peace talks with Putin

Thursday 13 February 2025 - 08:07

The President Donald Trump has indicated a significant change in the United States' stance on Ukraine, revealing that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin recently held a phone conversation where they agreed to pursue negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Trump noted that the call lasted over an hour and expressed confidence that peace was within reach.

Trump acknowledged that he also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy but remained non-committal regarding Ukraine's role in the peace talks. Despite this, he emphasized that both Putin, Zelenskyy, and himself desired peace. Trump stated that Putin was keen to end the conflict, and their next step would be to closely cooperate, including potential visits to each other's countries.

While Trump did not confirm whether Ukraine would be involved equally in the peace process, his remarks hinted at a possible shift in US policy, potentially bypassing Kyiv in negotiations. This stance diverges from the previous Biden administration, which insisted on Ukraine's full participation.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy acknowledged the conversation between Trump and Putin, expressing his appreciation for Trump's interest in bringing about peace. However, some experts, like Mariia Zolkina, cautioned that Trump's rhetoric appeared more sympathetic to Russia, which could hinder meaningful progress toward peace.

The conversation also touched on broader international matters, including the Middle East and Iran, but the situation in Ukraine remained the primary focus. Additionally, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled Ukraine's NATO ambitions as unrealistic, arguing that focusing on returning to pre-2014 borders would only prolong the conflict. Trump echoed this sentiment, expressing doubts about Ukraine's NATO membership being practical.