Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump, who had repeatedly promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war since his election campaign, has faced limited progress despite nine months in office. Efforts to engage Russian President Vladimir Putin were stalled until earlier this week, when the two leaders finally met in Alaska. However, discussions did not address the cessation of hostilities, as Putin reportedly did not allow the topic to be raised. Trump described the meeting as a “major step forward.”
Following the Alaska meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with European leaders, signaling readiness for a peace agreement. Plans for a trilateral meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and Putin were announced, reportedly to be held in Russia.
However, Trump’s position shifted within days. He stated that brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine was not solely his responsibility, suggesting that Putin and Zelensky first hold bilateral talks. Until such a meeting takes place, Trump has decided to step back from active negotiations. U.S. officials confirmed that Trump had attempted to facilitate bilateral discussions but emphasized that the outcome remains uncertain.
Russian Demands Complicate Negotiations
The U.S. decision to pause engagement comes amid new Russian demands. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov presented proposals requiring greater Russian control over Ukraine’s security guarantees and opposed European recommendations to deploy troops in Ukraine. Lavrov stated that Russia and China, in coordination with European allies, would manage Ukraine’s security. Russia continues to insist that Ukraine relinquish the eastern Donbas region and abandon NATO membership ambitions. Ukraine has rejected these conditions.
With neither side willing to compromise, U.S. officials say Trump will refrain from further peace negotiations until a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky occurs.