Trump-Putin Call: Peace Talks

Posted by Veeger on 02-13-2025, 06:57 16 0

In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to initiate immediate peace negotiations to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. This unexpected development has left Ukraine and European nations scrambling to secure their role in the talks, amidst concerns of being sidelined.

A Bold Move
President Trump announced the call via social media, stating that he and President Putin have agreed to have their respective teams start negotiations immediately. The announcement comes after nearly three years of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022 with the aim of toppling President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government in Kyiv.

Trump's decision to engage directly with Putin has raised eyebrows, especially since he did not clarify whether Ukraine would be directly involved in the peace talks. This omission has heightened concerns, as excluding Kyiv would align with Putin's long-standing demand to sideline Ukraine, dismissing Zelenskyy as "illegitimate."

Reactions from Ukraine and Europe
Following his call with Putin, Trump spoke with President Zelenskyy, who shared on social media that they discussed opportunities to achieve peace and Ukraine's readiness to collaborate. Despite this, Ukraine and European allies are emphasizing the need for a unified negotiating front, insisting that Ukraine must be part of any negotiations.

European foreign ministers released a joint statement highlighting the importance of putting Ukraine in a position of strength. They stressed that any negotiations must include Ukraine and respect its independence and territorial integrity.

Implications and Concerns
The Trump administration's push for direct talks with Moscow has sparked concerns about potential territorial and political concessions. John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser, criticized the approach, calling it a "sell out" of Ukraine. Ukrainian officials echoed these sentiments, expressing worries that Trump's move is a reward for Putin and a break from the policy of "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine."

Looking Ahead
As preparations for the peace talks begin, both Moscow and Kyiv are maneuvering for leverage. Russia and the U.S. recently concluded a prisoner swap as a goodwill gesture, while Zelenskyy met with U.S. officials to discuss potential deals involving Ukrainian minerals.

The path to peace remains uncertain, with both sides expressing readiness for negotiations but showing reluctance to make significant concessions. The international community will be closely watching how these talks unfold and the impact they will have on Ukraine's future.

Credit: ABC News
Will Gretsky, Anastasia Bagaeva, Nataliia Popova, Zoe Magee, Tanya Stukalova and Tom Soufi Burridge contributed to this report.