Ukraine war nearing peace talks? Trump’s role and Zelensky’s shift
Senior Ukrainian officials are starting to believe that the war could end by 2025, as discussions about a potential peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow intensify following Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president.
The information was published on December 23 by The Washington Post, which cited a source close to the negotiations.
A senior Ukrainian official stated that he is "beginning to believe" the war could actually end next year, as peace talks have intensified since Trump's election. However, if it weren’t for all the sudden public talks of a peace agreement, "I wouldn't believe we were anywhere near negotiations," the official said. He added, "I don’t believe it’s possible to reach an agreement with Vladimir Putin."
The American publication notes that President Volodymyr Zelensky has shown increased openness to negotiations in recent weeks, signaling a significant shift in his stance. Previously, the Ukrainian leader had firmly rejected the possibility of making territorial concessions to Russia.
At the same time, Ukraine has recently signed security pacts with several countries. However, Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, pointed out that these agreements are not legally binding, raising concerns about their future enforcement.
Donald Trump, Peace Talks
Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, recently stated that Vladimir Putin expressed a desire to meet with him to discuss the war in Ukraine. “President Putin said he wants to meet with me as soon as possible,” Trump stated, according to CNBC. During an event in Arizona, the American politician discussed the need to end the war, calling it "terrible."
Trump had already met with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Paris, where he attended the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Following the discussions, Trump called for an "immediate ceasefire" in Ukraine.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
