Russian President Vladimir Putin has, for his part, openly indicated a willingness to discuss the Ukraine War with President-elect Donald Trump. In a Q&A aired on state TV last week, Putin said that he had not talked to Trump in years, but was prepared to meet him “without any conditions” set beforehand for the talks. He said both sides needed to be ready to make compromises: “We have always said we are ready for negotiations and compromises.” His comments indicate a significant realignment in Russia’s position as far as potential avenues out of the war that has raged since 2022.
Potential Terms for an Agreement
Putin in turn, while saying he was willing to talk, claimed any deals would have to include “legitimate authorities” from Ukraine. He now recognizes that the Ukrainian parliament is the only legitimate body that can sign treaties, so all of the leadership under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is effectively delegitimized unless he wins reelection. Putin mentioned an old draft of a discussion held in Istanbul for Ukraine peace talks that had never been carried out. The Russian leader reiterated that he does not consider temporary truces — but only a final peace agreement — as the solution, a position that presages a continuation of terms perceived as favorable to Moscow.
Current State of the Conflict
The hybrid war on Ukraine, bursting into flames on the 24th of February 2022 when Russia invaded the country, has continuously swung between military action and counteraction, mass civilian casualties, and economic crises for Ukraine. Now Russian forces hold around a fifth of the territory of Ukraine. Now Putin says that Russia has improved its position in the military since the start of the invasion, and is working toward its “main goals” in the conflict. He added: “Soon, those Ukrainians who want to fight will have the opportunity to tire” which he suggested means time will favor Russia.
But this claim starkly opposes that of international observers noting that Ukrainian forces are still holding strong and that the human cost of the war seems to still be very high.
Reactions and implications on the International level
International reaction to the statements from Putin has been tepid with sceptics deeming the Russian president’s willingness for a negotiation disingenuous. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the remarks by questioning the soundness of Putin’s mind: “Is he sane, I ask you? Such skepticism is part of a wider Western angst over the goals behind Russia’s actions and the sincerity of any potential settlement talks. The ramifications of such possible negotiations are larger than those of Ukraine, affecting NATO and the balance of power in Europe. Trump and Putin RU021258 Ukraine is still dealing with the war and such meetings between Trump and Putin may well reshuffle such future international relations regarding this war in this protracted war.
But while Putin’s apparent openness to negotiation with Trump has been a remarkable turn in the Ukraine War, the terms of such negotiations create a murky road to peace of any kind. But critics are heavily skeptical and call for appropriate talks that respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and aspire to achieve a fair and lasting peace.
