President Donald Trump is intensifying his efforts to negotiate an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine, as he prepares for a pivotal meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. This follows his announcement of a second meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which will occur in Budapest, Hungary, though a specific date has yet to be confirmed.
Trump’s announcement came shortly after a telephone conversation with Putin, during which he expressed optimism about the progress made. The U.S. leader has a history of engaging with Putin, as evidenced by their previous meeting in Alaska in August, which yielded limited diplomatic advancements, causing frustration for Trump, who banks on his rapport with the Russian leader to resolve the nearly four-year-long conflict.
Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, characterized the recent call as “very frank and trusting.” He highlighted concerns that the U.S. consideration of selling long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine could trigger serious repercussions for U.S.-Russia relations.
The upcoming meeting with Zelenskyy is significant, as Ukraine is seeking weapons that would enable its forces to launch deeper strikes into Russian-held territories. Zelenskyy believes that demonstrating the capability for such strikes could pressure Putin to engage meaningfully in negotiations.
Trump’s heightened commitment to resolving the Ukraine conflict follows his recent success in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza—another central aspect of his campaign platform. He has consistently criticized President Joe Biden’s approach to these wars, and with his renewed focus, Trump seeks to accomplish a diplomatic resolution to one of Europe’s most extensive armed conflicts since World War II.
During his speech to the Knesset in Jerusalem, Trump reiterated that solidifying peace in Ukraine remains a priority, directing attention to the critical need to resolve this ongoing confrontation with Russia first.
The meeting on Friday marks the fourth direct interaction this year between Trump and Zelenskyy, indicating a developing rapport despite earlier tensions. Trump is contemplating the sale of Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, a move which has raised eyebrows given its potential to escalate tensions with Russia. Analysts suggest that in the short term, Ukraine might benefit more from an influx of Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) and Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) rather than Tomahawks, which would require extensive training for effective use.
Moreover, discussions within the White House have suggested an increasing interest in legislation aimed at imposing strict tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and additional exports in an effort to hinder Russia’s economic capabilities. This evolving dialogue could signify a shift in the administration’s stance towards more stringent measures against Moscow, although Trump has yet to publicly endorse the legislation.
Trump’s efforts to resolve both the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts demonstrate a strategic focus on foreign policy issues, looking to translate campaign promises into actionable initiatives.