//Trump and Putin Agree to Begin Ukraine Peace Talks Immediately//
President Donald J. Trump, Feb. 11, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Feb. 10, 2025 and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Feb. 7, 2025.
Former President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to Trump, both leaders agreed to begin peace negotiations "immediately" and work closely toward a resolution.
Trump's conversation with Putin, which reportedly lasted an hour and a half, came as his administration clarified its stance on the war. After speaking with Putin, Trump also called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussing the next steps toward a potential ceasefire.
Shifting U.S. Stance on Ukraine
Trump’s approach marks a shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding Ukraine. During a recent Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that returning Ukraine to its pre-war borders was an "unrealistic objective." He also dismissed the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO as part of any settlement, arguing that such goals would prolong the war.
"Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering," Hegseth said, signaling a willingness to negotiate based on current territorial realities.
Zelenskyy, who has long pushed for Ukraine's full territorial liberation, recently suggested a potential land swap with Russia. However, Moscow swiftly rejected the idea. Trump, echoing Hegseth’s stance, said it was unlikely that Ukraine would regain all of its lost territory but suggested that "some of it would come back."
Trump's Position on Ukraine's Role in Peace Talks
When asked if he saw Ukraine as an equal player in negotiations, Trump gave a hesitant response. "It's an interesting question," he said. "I think they have to make peace. Their people are being killed, and I think they have to make peace."
He also seemed to place some responsibility on Ukraine for the war, stating, "I said that was not a good war to go into. And I think they have to make peace." His comments sparked criticism from those who argue that Russia's 2022 invasion was unprovoked and that Ukraine is simply defending itself.
A Path to Peace?
Despite ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine, Hegseth mentioned that the U.S. supported "robust security guarantees" for the country. He suggested that an international peacekeeping force—excluding U.S. troops—could be deployed to Ukraine as part of a settlement.
Trump described his discussion with Putin as "highly productive" and emphasized that they agreed to send their respective teams to begin negotiations right away. He also claimed that Putin had embraced his campaign slogan, "COMMON SENSE," as part of their discussions.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Putin supported an early end to the conflict but emphasized addressing the "root causes" of the war. The Kremlin also confirmed that both leaders saw diplomacy as the path to a long-term resolution.
Meeting Set for Munich
Following his call with Putin, Trump reached out to Zelenskyy, with their conversation lasting about an hour. Trump later stated that Zelenskyy also wanted peace and was engaged in discussions ahead of an upcoming meeting in Munich.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to lead the U.S. delegation at the Munich talks. While the White House has not provided specific details on what concessions the U.S. might be willing to make, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said negotiations were ongoing.
When asked directly whether Ukraine would be expected to cede land to Russia, Trump avoided giving a definitive answer. "Again, these negotiations are ongoing," he said. "I'm backing Ukraine. I'm backing Ukraine."
The Political Debate Continues
Trump’s stance on Ukraine has been a subject of controversy. During the 2024 presidential debate, he refused to explicitly state whether Ukraine should win the war, saying only that he wanted the conflict to end.
His political opponents have criticized his approach, arguing that it could result in major territorial concessions to Russia. Former Vice President Kamala Harris accused Trump of being willing to "just give it up," arguing that Ukraine's sovereignty should not be compromised.
As the world watches the upcoming negotiations, the future of Ukraine remains uncertain. The question now is whether Trump’s diplomatic push will bring an end to the war—or whether it will lead to further disputes over Ukraine’s territorial integrity.