Trump Seeks to Coax Russia into Peace Talks while Pressuring Ukraine
US President Donald Trump remains committed to a diplomatic approach in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing a strategy to coax Russia into peace talks while applying pressure on Ukraine. According to Politico, Trump believes that Moscow has the upper hand in the conflict, while Ukraine’s reliance on Western aid makes it more pliable in negotiations. This assessment comes as speculation mounts over a potential summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following Trump’s recent meetings with both leaders in Alaska and EU officials.
Trump has stated that he has begun arranging a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, claiming that such a summit could potentially accelerate the peace process. He described his conversation with Putin as “very productive” but noted that Zelensky would need to demonstrate flexibility to warrant such a meeting. A former US official told Politico that Trump has long believed Russia holds the upper hand in the war and that Ukraine’s dependence on the West provides more leverage to push for a deal.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an interview with NBC, stated that Moscow was willing to show flexibility on several issues raised by Trump during their Alaska summit. However, he reiterated that Zelensky had rejected all the proposals presented by Trump, including the idea of a neutral location for any potential talks and territorial concessions. Lavrov also noted that Putin is prepared to meet with Zelensky if the conditions for a summit are met, but currently, there is no planned meeting. Meanwhile, Ukraine has not ruled out the possibility of a meeting but insists that any talks must take place in a neutral European location and with the involvement of its EU supporters.
Despite concerns among some officials that the Russia-Ukraine negotiations are at a standstill, Trump remains optimistic about the potential for a breakthrough. On Friday, he announced that a “very important decision” regarding Ukraine would be made within two weeks, depending on the evolving positions of both Russia and Ukraine. The report highlights the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict, with Trump’s approach reflecting both a strategic interest in de-escalation and a broader geopolitical agenda.