Politics

Trump Hints at Possible Russian Future for Ukraine

Tuesday 11 February 2025 - 14:02

The U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukraine could potentially become part of Russia in the future as he continues to assert that he will swiftly end the ongoing conflict.

In a recent interview, Trump commented on the three-year war following Russia’s full-scale invasion, stating that Ukraine might strike a deal with Moscow—or might not—implying uncertainty about the nation’s future. He also reiterated his stance that the U.S. should receive compensation for its military and financial support to Kyiv, particularly through access to rare earth minerals.

Trump claimed that Ukraine has largely agreed to this arrangement, mentioning a potential $500 billion worth of resources. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, have indicated a willingness to collaborate with Washington on such agreements.

As Zelenskyy prepares for a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Kyiv continues to push for firm security guarantees, fearing that any settlement lacking military commitments—such as NATO membership or the deployment of peacekeeping forces—could allow Russia to regroup and launch further offensives.

Trump also hinted at having spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though Moscow has not confirmed any recent contact and maintains that any ceasefire would be dictated by its own conditions.

Meanwhile, the war rages on. Russian forces continue their offensives in eastern Ukraine, while both sides engage in nightly airstrikes targeting energy infrastructure. Recent Russian missile attacks have struck Ukrainian gas production facilities, while Kyiv has reportedly hit an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region.