Is Trump Pursuing a Long-Term Deal in Ukraine?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Trump's team is focused on a long-term peace agreement.
- Discussions involve key issues such as security and territory.
- A trilateral negotiation format has been established.
- Ukrainian and Russian representatives are engaging constructively.
- Future talks are anticipated to advance ceasefire efforts.
Washington, Jan 25 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump has instructed his negotiating team to actively seek a long-term agreement aimed at preventing the recurrence of the Ukraine war, according to senior administration officials who described the discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin as promising.
Recent diplomatic efforts in Davos, Abu Dhabi, and Russia were centered on addressing the remaining issues in the conflict, including security, economic prosperity, frozen assets, territorial disputes, and de-escalation, as noted by senior officials.
These discussions have led to the establishment of a trilateral format that includes Ukraine and Russia, with the United States acting as a facilitator.
A senior official revealed that President Trump met with President Zelensky in Davos to review the progress over recent months, allowing Trump to provide updated directives to his negotiating team. Subsequently, there were meetings in Abu Dhabi and an extensive four-hour dialogue with President Putin in Russia, which US officials labeled as “very, very productive.”
The engagement in Abu Dhabi was characterized as a pivotal moment in the negotiations, taking weeks of preparation to organize a trilateral format. Both Ukrainian and Russian leaders agreed to this setup only after determining that the talks had sufficiently advanced to warrant technical discussions.
The two-day trilateral meeting included military and political representatives, with Ukrainian officials present. Extensive informal discussions took place, focusing on de-escalation and developing measures to ensure that the war does not reignite after it concludes.
Senior officials emphasized that President Trump seeks an agreement with lasting impact. The aim is to create a framework and a new paradigm that would avert future conflicts and minimize the chances of renewed fighting.
Topics covered in the discussions included security and economic factors, demonstrating the broad scope of the negotiations.
Officials also highlighted the constructive atmosphere of the interactions, noting the significance of Ukrainian and Russian representatives engaging directly and respectfully after a prolonged hiatus. This allowed both sides to express their views, concerns, and suggestions candidly, fostering a fluid and productive environment.
More discussions are anticipated in the coming days, with Ukrainian and Russian officials set to reconvene in Abu Dhabi to further advance ceasefire efforts.
These discussions marked the inaugural instance of representatives from all three nations convening face-to-face to negotiate a ceasefire. The dialogues encompassed economic and military matters, as well as territorial disputes regarding lands Russia would retain following the war. US officials, who wished to remain anonymous, indicated that these issues remain among the most sensitive and unresolved.
President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner spearheaded the meetings, first meeting President Zelensky in Switzerland before traveling to Moscow for discussions with President Putin. Senior US military officials, including the head of US European Command and NATO forces, joined the meetings later.
One of the primary sticking points identified by US officials is the issue of post-war security guarantees for Ukraine. European nations have called for a limited troop presence to oversee a ceasefire, whereas US officials have indicated that American assistance would concentrate on intelligence, surveillance, and logistics rather than deploying troops on the ground.
The discussions also addressed economic concerns, particularly regarding the future of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is currently under Russian occupation. While no agreement was reached, US officials stated that proposals for Ukraine and Russia to share electricity from this facility, the largest nuclear plant in Europe, were discussed.