Trump Signals Shift in Ukraine Policy, Hints at Deal-Making Focus
Former President Donald Trump has indicated a potential shift in U.S. policy towards Ukraine, suggesting that the intelligence "pause" previously in place is being eased, while simultaneously emphasizing the need for Ukraine to actively pursue a negotiated settlement to the ongoing conflict with Russia. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday evening, Trump outlined his vision for ending the war, a vision that appears to prioritize deal-making and a sense of urgency in bringing the conflict to a close.
Trump’s remarks come amid escalating tensions in Ukraine, with reports of significant casualties on both sides of the conflict. He expressed his belief that neither Russia nor Ukraine possesses a clear advantage in the war, underscoring his position that a negotiated solution is the only viable path forward. "You know, I say they don’t have the cards. Nobody really has the cards," Trump stated, adding, "Russia doesn’t have the cards…What you have to do is you have to make a deal, and you have to stop the killing. It’s a senseless war, and we’re going to get it stopped."
The former president’s comments regarding the intelligence pause are particularly noteworthy. According to sources familiar with the situation, the U.S. had previously scaled back intelligence sharing with Ukraine, specifically focusing on defensive intelligence to protect against incoming Russian strikes. Intelligence aiding Ukrainian offensive operations against Russia had reportedly been paused. When questioned about lifting the intelligence pause, Trump stated, "We, we just about have. I mean, we really just about have. And we want to do anything we can to get Ukraine to be serious about getting something done." This suggests a potential willingness to restore intelligence sharing, potentially as leverage to encourage Ukraine to engage more actively in peace negotiations.
Trump also expressed his optimism regarding Ukraine’s potential agreement to a minerals deal, while reiterating his desire to see them prioritize peace. "Trump also noted that he thinks Ukraine will sign the minerals deal, but he wants them to want peace at the moment." He implied that Ukraine has not demonstrated a sufficient commitment to peace, stating, "I think right now they haven’t, but I think they will be, and I think it’s going to become evident over the next two or three days." This indicates a potential expectation for Ukraine to take concrete steps toward demonstrating its desire for a peaceful resolution.
The former president also took the opportunity to address broader economic concerns, particularly the impact of tariffs on the U.S. economy and the stock market. When questioned about Americans’ concerns regarding their retirement accounts, Trump defended his tariff policies, claiming they would be "the greatest thing we’ve ever done as a country." He asserted that tariffs would generate substantial revenue, stimulate domestic manufacturing, and create jobs. "The tariffs, Trump explained, will bring companies and factories back, noting that 90,000 factories in the U.S. had closed since the beginning of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the U.S., Canada and Mexico, which was in effect from 1994 to 2020."
Trump also dismissed concerns about a potential recession, reiterating his confidence in the positive economic impact of tariffs. "Of course you hesitate. All I know is…we’re going to take in hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs, and we’re going to become so rich you’re not going to know where to spend all that money," Trump stated.
These remarks highlight Trump’s continued focus on deal-making as a primary tool in foreign policy, his confidence in the effectiveness of tariffs in boosting the U.S. economy, and his sense of urgency in ending the conflict in Ukraine. It remains to be seen how these pronouncements will translate into concrete policy changes, but they provide a glimpse into his potential approach to the situation.
The former president also pointed to upcoming meetings in Saudi Arabia, involving both Russia and Ukraine, as potential opportunities to make progress toward a resolution. "We’ll see if we can get something done," Trump said. "A lot of people died this week, as you know, in Ukraine – not only Ukrainians but Russians. So, I think everybody wants to see it get done. We’re going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week."
Critics are likely to raise questions about the potential implications of Trump’s approach, particularly his emphasis on Ukraine demonstrating a greater desire for peace. Some may argue that such a stance could inadvertently put pressure on Ukraine to concede territory or make other concessions to Russia, potentially undermining its sovereignty and security. The idea that simply by engaging in a deal the war will stop, may not sit well with members of the public who feel strongly that Russia needs to be punished for their actions.
Others may question the feasibility of achieving a lasting peace agreement without addressing the underlying causes of the conflict, such as Russia’s territorial ambitions and security concerns. The future of this conflict, and Donald Trump’s roll in resolving it, are yet to be seen.
