Trump Under Fire For Caving to Putin in Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire Talks
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Ukraine and Russia would start peace negotiations “immediately,” but what was meant to be a celebratory announcement landed with a thud as observers quickly pointed out that Russia’s Vladimir Putin appeared to only strengthen his position.
The Wall Street Journal’s Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov summed up Trump’s announcement, writing, “Trump, after Ukraine agreed to his demand for an unconditional ceasefire and Russia did not, says it’s all fine and let’s do it the way Putin wants it to be.”
Trump released his statement after a lengthy phone call with Putin. The president, who had promised to end the war in 24 hours of taking office, wrote, “Just completed my two hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. I believe it went very well. Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War.”
“The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of. The tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent. If it wasn’t, I would say so now, rather than later. Russia wants to do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic “bloodbath” is over, and I agree. There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED,” Trump continued, adding:
Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its Country. Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin immediately. I have so informed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, President Emmanuel Macron, of France, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, of Italy, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, of Germany, and President Alexander Stubb, of Finland, during a call with me, immediately after the call with President Putin. The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations. Let the process begin!
Other foreign policy reporters were quick to note that little had changed. “Back to square one. Trump abandons his own ceasefire demands without a whimper. US peace proposal presented in Paris cast aside. No hint whatsoever of pressure on Russia to soften draconian demands. Dangles a giant carrot (trade, implicitly end to sanctions) but offers no stick,” argued the Economist’s Shashank Joshi.
CNN’s Alex Marquardt replied, “Putin appears to have convinced Trump that a ceasefire needs negotiating. Rather than just agreeing to it which Ukraine did two months ago.”
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