WashingtonIn an effort to stop the war only weeks before he takes office, Donald Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to take immediate action to reach a truce with Ukraine on Sunday.
In reference to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump said on social media that “Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness.”
Trump also stated that he might be amenable to cutting military funding to Ukraine and withdrawing the US from NATO in a Sunday television interview. Ukraine, NATO partners, and many members of the U.S. national security community are concerned about those two dangers.
When asked if he was actively trying to put a stop to the war in Ukraine, which has been going on for almost three years, Trump responded, “I am,” on NBC’s Meet the Press.
After winning the election in November, he would not say whether he had spoken to Putin. Trump stated that he didn’t want to discuss that because he didn’t want to do anything that would make the negotiations more difficult.
Zelenskyy responded cautiously to Trump’s demand for an early ceasefire, which went beyond the positions expressed by the Biden administration and Ukraine on public policy. Additionally, it represents Trump’s unusually deep dive into efforts to address one of the key global crises facing the inept Biden administration prior to his inauguration on January 20.
Following a weekend meeting with French and Ukrainian leaders in Paris, where numerous international leaders gathered to commemorate the reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral following a horrific fire, Trump made his request. It seemed that none of the advisers he was taking with him knew anything about Ukraine.
Trump posted on his social media network, Truth Social, that Kyiv wants to make a deal. Negotiations should start as soon as possible, and there should be a truce.
Vladimir is someone I know well. Now is his moment to take action. China can assist. The entire world is waiting! Trump went on. He was alluding to Chinese mediation efforts that many Westerners perceive to be biased in favor of Russia.
Zelenskyy has not provided any additional information, but he hailed his talks with Trump on Saturday, which were arranged by French President Emmanuel Macron, as fruitful.
Zelenskyy issued a warning: Ukraine requires a strong and fair peace that the Russians won’t overthrow in a few years.
Effective peace assurances must be the primary topic of discussion when discussing a successful peace with Russia. No one wants peace more than Ukrainians. In a post on the Telegram messaging service on Sunday, he said that Russia has brought war to our country.
In response to Trump’s post, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow’s long-standing stance that it is amenable to negotiations with Ukraine. Peskov cited a Zelenskyy edict from October 2022 that stated that as long as Putin was in power in Russia, no negotiations were conceivable.
In what Kyiv and the West believed was a blatant disregard for Ukrainian sovereignty, Putin declared four occupied areas of Ukraine to be a part of Russia, which prompted that proclamation.
Retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, Trump’s former national security advisor, cautioned that there was no short cut to putting an end to Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
McMaster told Fox News Sunday, “What I’m worried about is this kind of flawed idea that Putin can be placated, right, that Putin will come to some kind of deal.”
Peace through strength, McMaster said, adding, “How about giving them what they need to defend themselves and then saying to Putin, You’re going to lose this war?” I think it’s incredibly important for President Trump to follow his instinct in this regard.
Trump has already expressed his desire for a speedy ceasefire in Ukraine, but his suggestion on Sunday was presented as a direct appeal to Russia. The prompt reactions from Russia and Ukraine showed how seriously they took the proposal from the next U.S. president.
This weekend, both Trump and President Joe Biden used Russia’s withdrawal from Syria, where the Russian military mostly stepped aside as Syrian rebels deposed the country’s Russian-aligned leader, as proof of how much Russia’s resources have been depleted by the conflict in Ukraine.
At the White House on Sunday, Biden stated that Russia was unable to defend its principal Middle Eastern ally due to Ukrainian resistance.
Supporters of Ukraine, including the Biden administration, have taken care to avoid appearing to put pressure on Ukraine for an immediate ceasefire. A speedy agreement, according to Ukraine’s friends, would mostly be on the terms of its more powerful neighbor, possibly requiring Ukraine to make costly concessions and enabling Russia to relaunch the conflict after it has restored its military might.
Trump presents himself as willing to reach quick agreements to end the Middle East and Ukrainian problems, which have thwarted many of the Biden administration’s own attempts at mediation.
Unless the purpose of the discussions is to undermine or otherwise impact current U.S. policy, it is normal and acceptable for new officials or nominees to meet with foreign officials.
Without permission from the government, private persons are prohibited by the Logan Act from attempting to get involved in disagreements or conflicts between the US and other countries. However, since the 1850s, the 1799 Act has only resulted in two criminal cases, neither of which has led to a criminal conviction.
Trump reiterated his warning to NATO partners in the Friday NBC interview that he did not consider the United States’ ongoing involvement in the Western military alliance to be a certainty during his second term.
Trump has long grumbled that the governments of Canada and Europe in the mutual defense pact are squandering military funds from the United States, which is by far NATO’s most powerful ally. According to NATO and its member governments, pressure from Trump during his first term is partly to blame for the majority of the bloc’s nations now achieving voluntary military spending commitments.
Trump said that it was an open subject when asked if he would think about leaving NATO.
“I would definitely stay with NATO if they are paying their bills and I believe they are treating us fairly,” he added.
If not, however, he was asked if he would think about withdrawing the United States from the alliance. “Yes,” Trump said. Yes, without a doubt.
When asked if Ukraine should prepare for potential reductions in U.S. funding, Trump responded with the same candor. “Maybe,” he said.
Ukraine’s efforts to repel Russian forces are largely dependent on U.S. military aid, and Biden has been advocating for aid to Ukraine before to his departure.
On Saturday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced an additional almost $1 billion for Ukraine’s longer-term arms support. According to the Pentagon, Austin discussed the state of the conflict and American military support with his Ukrainian counterpart on Sunday.
According to a statement released by Russia’s defense ministry on Sunday, Russian soldiers continued their relentless advance in eastern Ukraine, capturing the settlement of Blahodatne. According to military analysts, if verified, such victory would move Russian forces one step closer to seizing Velyka Novosilka and cutting off a vital supply line for the Ukrainian army.
– The Associated Press, by Ellen Knickmeyer and Joanna Kozlowska
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