During a brief exchange with reporters at the White House on Monday, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin need to „get together“ to resolve the ongoing conflict between their nations. Trump made the remarks during the swearing-in ceremony for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Urgency of Direct Engagement
While addressing the press, Trump emphasized the necessity of direct engagement between the two leaders. He suggested that a negotiated settlement would be difficult to achieve without Zelensky and Putin personally involved in discussions. He implied that external mediation alone wouldn’t be sufficient to bring the war to an end. Trump’s comments did not elaborate on the potential format or location for such a meeting, or what specific concessions he believed each side should be prepared to make.
Background and Context
Trump’s statement comes as the conflict in Ukraine continues to rage, with no immediate end in sight. Previous attempts at high-level talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations have yielded limited results. While various international actors have offered to mediate, direct communication between Zelensky and Putin has remained infrequent and fraught with tension. The idea of a face-to-face meeting has been floated on numerous occasions since the start of the war, but significant obstacles remain, including disagreements on preconditions and the overall framework for negotiations.
Reactions and Potential Implications
It remains to be seen how Trump’s comments will be received in Kyiv and Moscow, as well as by other international stakeholders. Zelensky has previously stated his willingness to engage in talks with Putin under certain conditions, including the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The Russian government, on the other hand, has maintained its stance that negotiations must take into account its security concerns and the „new realities“ on the ground.