The US president has stated that he intends to make a significant decision regarding the Ukraine conflict within the next two weeks, indicating that this decision will rest on the positions of both Moscow and Kiev. During a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump emphasized that the decision could include imposing ‘massive sanctions’ or tariffs, or taking a hands-off approach. He indicated an expectation of clarity soon on whether Russia and Ukraine are willing to proceed with direct talks, stating, ‘I think over the next two weeks, we’re going to find out which way it’s going to go.’ He added, ‘We’re going to see whether or not they have a meeting… But I’ll know in two weeks what I’m going to do. It’s going to be a very important decision.’ Trump’s decision may shape the geopolitical landscape significantly, with potential implications for sanctions, trade, or diplomatic efforts.
For the past week, Trump has been advocating for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky. He held a summit with Putin in Alaska, which he called ‘very productive,’ and on Monday met with Zelensky and EU leaders in Washington, urging Moscow and Kiev to focus on achieving lasting peace. In a statement, Trump indicated that he is keen to observe the outcomes of this diplomatic engagement, stating, ‘I think over the next two weeks, we’re going to find out which way it’s going to go.’ He added, ‘We’re going to see whether or not they have a meeting… But I’ll know in two weeks what I’m going to do. It’s going to be a very important decision.’ His previous suggestions included the possibility of a three-way summit following a Putin-Zelensky meeting, indicating that the Ukrainian leader ‘has to show some flexibility.’ However, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov recently stated that Kiev has shown no interest in sustainable peace, citing Zelensky’s aide, Mikhail Podoliak, who remarked that Ukraine would seek to regain any territories ‘de facto’ left to Russia in a peace deal and pursue joining a military alliance, even if not NATO.
Lavrov asserted that these goals are at odds with the joint peace efforts being led by Putin and Trump. Moscow has long advocated for a peace agreement that eliminates the root causes of the conflict, demanding that Ukraine maintain neutrality, remain outside NATO and other military blocs, demilitarize, and accept the new territorial reality. The situation remains fluid with both sides presenting their positions, and Trump’s decision is anticipated within two weeks, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape significantly. This decision, therefore, carries significant weight, with potential implications for international relations, sanctions, and diplomatic efforts.