Donald Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. The former president-elect made the statement on Sunday to end the ongoing conflict. He shared his message on Truth Social, just hours after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris. Trump previously vowed to end the war during his presidential campaign. He claimed that he could bring an end to the conflict before his inauguration. However, he has provided few details about how he intends to achieve this.
Trump wrote on Truth Social, “Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness.” He emphasized the need for a ceasefire and the start of negotiations. The former president-elect also pointed to the possibility of a peaceful resolution. Trump’s statement follows his recent appointment of a special envoy to address the war. This envoy previously suggested a ceasefire and delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership as steps toward peace.
Trump’s Proposal and Reaction from Zelenskyy and Russia
Trump mentioned his previous interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He stated, “I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The world is waiting!” Trump reportedly spoke to Putin last month, although Russia denied this conversation. Trump also compared the situation in Syria, claiming that Russia had lost interest in protecting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In an interview with “Meet the Press,” Trump stated he would do his best to end the war, “if I can.” He also mentioned that Ukraine might receive less military assistance from the U.S. under his leadership. Trump’s stance on NATO remains clear, stating that the U.S. would stay in the alliance if other countries meet their financial contributions. He pointed out that 23 out of 32 NATO members currently meet the 2% GDP defense spending target.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy responded to Trump’s call for a ceasefire. He stressed that any peace agreement with Russia must come with solid guarantees. Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. However, he warned that a ceasefire without guarantees could easily be broken. He referred to Russia’s previous actions, where conflicts reignited after ceasefire agreements. Zelenskyy emphasized that lasting peace is only possible with reliable security measures.
Russia’s Position on Ceasefire and Negotiations
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Trump’s calls for talks. He stated that Russia is open to negotiations, but these should be based on agreements made in Istanbul in 2022. Russia’s position also depends on the current situation on the battlefield. Trump has not yet specified what his proposed ceasefire would entail. However, his recently appointed special envoy, Keith Kellogg, has shared insights into his approach.
Kellogg has previously proposed a strategy where Ukraine receives weapons during negotiations to prevent Russia from taking additional territory. He suggested delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership for an extended period to encourage Russia to enter negotiations. His plan includes a “comprehensive and verifiable peace deal” with security guarantees for Ukraine. Kellogg emphasized that this approach would not mean Russia would retain the territory it seized through its invasion.
Kellogg shared his belief in resetting the approach to the war. He explained that peace talks should start, but Russia should not be allowed to keep the territory it took from Ukraine. He also clarified that Ukraine would not be forced into a deal that it considers detrimental to its interests. However, in order to receive further military assistance, Ukraine would need to agree to engage in talks.
A source familiar with the discussions revealed that the waiting period for Ukraine’s NATO membership could range from 10 to 25 years. Kellogg has been working on a peace plan for several months, but how much Trump agrees with it is still unclear. However, Kellogg’s selection for the post suggests that Trump supports this approach.