Trump Proposes Peace Talks Between Russia and Ukraine, but Zelenskyy Expresses Reservations

On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump asserted his belief in his ability to resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. His comments came after meetings between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia.

However, Trump’s remarks were accompanied by criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he accused of failing to end the war earlier. Trump also appeared to suggest that Ukraine bears some responsibility for the conflict, despite Russia’s unprovoked invasion in 2022.

Trump’s Assertions and Criticisms

"I think I have the power to end this war, and I think it’s going very well," Trump stated at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. However, he then added, "But today I heard, ‘Oh, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been there for three years. You should have ended it three years [ago]. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal."

Trump also claimed that Russia was not the only party pressuring Ukraine to hold elections, a condition for a possible peace deal. He indicated that the U.S. and other nations also support this demand, stating, "That’s something coming from me and coming from many other countries also."

Ukrainian Response and White House Statements

Zelenskyy responded to Trump’s comments during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He revealed that Ukraine was not invited to the talks in Saudi Arabia and that he had postponed a planned trip to the country until March. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine must be involved in any negotiations and reiterated that his country would not accept a peace deal that excluded them.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the absence of Ukrainian representatives at the Saudi Arabia meetings. She emphasized that the Trump administration was committed to brokering a peace deal and that all parties, including other European allies, would eventually participate in negotiations.

Diplomatic Efforts and Future Plans

According to Leavitt, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin’s foreign affairs advisor Yuri Ushakov in Riyadh to discuss ways to end the conflict.

Leavitt stated that the initial discussions were a "significant milestone" in securing peace. However, she declined to provide specifics, emphasizing the need for dialogue with both sides of the war.

Continued Engagement and Disagreements

Trump indicated that he had spoken with Zelenskyy and other European leaders about the negotiations. He also announced that he would meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House next week.

Despite Trump’s assertions, Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Putin’s intentions. "I said that [Putin] is a liar," Zelenskyy stated in an interview. "And he said, ‘I think my feeling is that he’s ready for these negotiations.’ And I said to him, ‘No, he’s a liar. He doesn’t want any peace.’"

While Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for U.S. support, he maintained that no leader could negotiate a deal with Putin without Ukraine’s involvement. "I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine, about us," he declared.

U.S. Plan for Reestablishing Diplomatic Ties

Rubio, the Secretary of State, outlined the first action the U.S. planned to take following the meetings with Russian officials: "reestablish the functionality of our respective missions in Washington and in Moscow." According to Rubio, functioning diplomatic facilities were essential for continued progress towards peace.

Conclusion

Trump’s involvement in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine has raised questions about the role of the United States and the future of the conflict. While Trump expressed confidence in his ability to resolve the crisis, Zelenskyy remains skeptical of Putin’s intent. The diplomatic efforts initiated by the Trump administration will continue to face challenges, and the outcome of the negotiations remains uncertain.