Trump Initiates Ukraine Peace Talks with Putin as Saudi Meeting Looms
President Trump has initiated talks with Putin to end the Ukraine war, planning a meeting in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine will not be part of the discussions, following Trump’s telephone conversations with both leaders. His administration is considering potential concessions from Ukraine, including the status of Crimea and NATO aspirations. A new negotiating team has been appointed to facilitate the talks, demonstrating a shift in U.S. strategy.
President Donald Trump announced plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss concluding the war in Ukraine, with specific details of the meeting still pending. Trump emphasized that Ukraine would not participate in these discussions, marking a new phase in U.S.-led efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict. The war has lasted nearly three years, initiated by Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, which approaches its third anniversary.
Following telephone conversations with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump declared that negotiations to end the war have officially begun. This was Trump’s first confirmed call with Putin since taking office, following weeks of speculation about the dialogue taking place. During his remarks, Trump reiterated his commitment to concluding the conflict promptly, pledging to have the situation resolved within six months after being elected.
In Europe, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that for a potential peace agreement, Ukraine may need to forgo reclaiming Crimea—a region occupied by Russia since 2014—and abandon its NATO aspirations. Trump supported Hegseth’s assertion in a formal statement, implying that these concessions might be necessary for a fruitful dialogue.
During their conversation, Putin personally invited Trump to Russia. In response, Trump indicated that reciprocal visits could strengthen cooperation between the two nations. He posted on his social media platform, suggesting they agreed to initiate immediate negotiations with their teams.
Trump also indicated his willingness to visit Ukraine but has not made a commitment. In a notable change, Trump announced the restructuring of his negotiating team, appointing key officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, while omitting special envoy Keith Kellogg, eliciting some confusion regarding the adjustment.
Trump’s call with Putin coincided with the inaugural trips of several Cabinet members to Europe. Vice President JD Vance and Senator Rubio are scheduled to meet with President Zelenskyy during the Munich Security Conference. Hegseth articulated a stance for the U.S. during a gathering of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, emphasizing a pragmatic approach toward negotiations.
In conclusion, President Trump’s ongoing dialogue with President Putin signals a potential shift in the U.S. strategy toward ending the war in Ukraine. By proposing negotiations and suggesting possible concessions from Ukraine, Trump sets the stage for future discussions. The reorganization of his negotiating team reflects an intent to approach this complex issue with renewed vigor, as the U.S. seeks a practical resolution to the conflict.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
