President Donald Trump has recently hinted at the “good possibility” of Russia withdrawing from Ukraine shortly after speaking to President Vladimir Putin. However, Ukrainian President Zelensky quickly responded, saying that no deal would be reached without the direct involvement of the Ukrainian people and government.
Trump further noted that after a “lengthy and highly productive” phone call with Putin, who he claims to know “very well”, it supposedly became apparent that Russia wants to reach a peace agreement. Many have since questioned both of their claims, considering the longevity of the centuries-long geopolitical conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which only intensified, and did not begin, in 2022.
Shortly after, Trump’s Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that Trump was the “one man in the world” capable of putting together a good peace deal and ending the war. Trump himself then posted on the social media thread platform Truth Social, that “it is time to stop this ridiculous war, where there has been massive, and unnecessary, DEATH and DESTRUCTION”.
In response, the highly politically involved Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded, stating that “The President’s instincts on Ukraine are absolutely right.”
“Ukrainian President Zelensky quickly responded, saying that no deal would be reached without the direct involvement of the Ukrainian people and government.”
Many of Trump’s supporters have praised this, whereas the opposition has questioned the true motives behind his words and perhaps his sudden change of heart – with Trump previously claiming that Ukraine “may be Russia someday”.
Shortly after the first talks, world leaders were set to meet for an emergency summit on a potential Ukraine peace deal. Ukraine’s president, Zelensky, joined the Munich Security Conference shortly after, as a direct alternative to Russia and America’s upcoming Saudi Arabia talks, which purposely did not invite Ukraine.
The Munich Security Conference, held amidst Germany’s preparations for their upcoming general election, addressed the matter of Ukraine in a “Peace Through Strength” initiative, announcing that the US and Russia’s meeting has been set.
More broadly, the increased relations between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have sparked controversy among world leaders, along with increased concerns over upcoming levels of global security, with Ukrainian president Zelensky warning other world leaders to “not trust him [Putin]”.
“There is an upcoming emergency summit planned to be held in Paris, with all European leaders invited to discuss the matter.”
Questioning his motives, Zelensky pointed out that the Kremlin (Russian Senate) said Ukraine would “of course” be invited to the talks, yet when it came to the matter, no such invitation was received by the leader or his government.
There is an upcoming emergency summit planned to be held in Paris, with all European leaders invited to discuss the matter. This, yet again, comes after Trump’s lack of collaboration with Europe in the matters of the war, in which he claimed that European leaders would be consulted, but will not take part in any talks between the US and Russia.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also set to speak to Donald Trump on the phone shortly. With Starmer backing Ukrainian president Zelensky after Trump called him a “dictator”, stating that he is a “democratically elected leader”, his role in the subject matter is appearing to be increasing rapidly.
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