Donald Trump has pledged to initiate peace discussions and hinted at the possibility of concluding the conflict in Ukraine; however, there are underlying challenges that may arise.
Here’s the perspective of Sky News experts on what the US’s revised military strategy and the forthcoming negotiations might imply for Russia, the United States, and Ukraine – including its ambitions to align with its European partners in NATO.
A temporary victory that may reward Putin
by Mark Stone, US correspondent
Within the Oval Office, President Trump declined to acknowledge Ukraine as an equal participant in negotiations with Russia to conclude the conflict. This refusal concludes a remarkable day.
From an American viewpoint, the day has confirmed a significant transformation in American influence, power, and posture in Europe. It’s a moment that could ground-shift policies.
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Trump and Putin to ‘end Ukraine war’
The post-World War II doctrine of American leadership, as the primary guardian of Western values and territories, appears to have suffered substantial erosion, if not outright abandonment.
This is the first instance where America has indicated that its priorities hinder its engagement with Europe.
The conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin marks the first contact by a US president since Biden last engaged with Putin in December 2021 – prior to the invasion.
Ukraine latest: Trump and Putin plan to meet
President Trump was enthusiastic in his recount of the hour-and-a-half conversation – it was affirmative, and he perceives Russia as a ‘significant rival and at times a foe’.
The substance of President Trump’s dialogue with President Putin remains undisclosed, particularly regarding any commitments made. The US Defense Secretary seemingly has conceded several substantial bargaining advantages to Russia – concerning territory and the absence of NATO membership or guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump’s objective has been to terminate the hostilities. If he succeeds, it would represent a significant short-term achievement to present to the American electorate.
European concerns hinge on the notion that this success is fleeting; that it may embolden Putin; that America’s withdrawal could compromise Europe and possibly allow Putin to resume hostilities at a later date.
Trump, who met Ukraine’s president in September, seems poised to acquiesce to some of Russia’s demands. Pic: Reuters
Putin’s boundaries on NATO expansion remain unchanged
by Ivor Bennett, Moscow correspondent
We anticipated there would be interaction between the two leaders eventually, but this moment remains incredibly significant.
This marks the commencement of negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine, and it may prove to be a pivotal turning point for additional
issues of importance include – the unity of NATO, the sovereignty of Ukraine, and the collaboration between Russia and the US.
It appears that Ukraine is the central point upon which all other matters depend regarding the potential restoration of relations between Washington and Moscow – resolve this and Trump seems to envision a flourishing partnership: “We discussed the strengths of our countries, and the significant advantages we will one day experience in collaborating together.”
But at what price? This is a concern that Kyiv will ponder with apprehension.
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Donald Trump evidently aspires to be remembered as the president who concluded the conflict and restored harmony in the world, and he appears even prepared to travel to Moscow to achieve this goal.
For Bill Clinton and George W Bush, visiting was commonplace, with five and seven trips respectively. Barack Obama made two visits, but following his attendance at a G20 summit in 2013, visits abruptly ceased. The reason for this cessation was Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
In 2000, America – during Bill Clinton’s presidency – enjoyed a more favorable relationship with Putin. Pic: AP
Given all that has transpired since that time, a visit from Donald Trump would indeed be a remarkable achievement for the Kremlin.
Russia’s so-called special military operation wasn’t intended to conclude through negotiations, yet the leader of the free world arriving in Moscow on a peace mission? One can see how Russia might portray that as a triumph over the unified West.
However, this does not imply that achieving a peace agreement would be straightforward.
There’s a phrase in the Kremlin’s summary of the conversation that raises eyebrows. It states: “President Putin, for his part, emphasized the necessity to address the underlying causes of the conflict.”
When Vladimir Putin refers to underlying causes, he is alluding to NATO’s expansion.
He asserts that this is the catalyst for the war in Ukraine. His mention of this during the call with Trump indicates that his non-negotiable points remain firm – no NATO membership for Ukraine, and Kyiv must withdraw its forces from the four territories in Ukraine currently under Russian control.
