Is Trump Reviving Peace Efforts in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Trump is resuming peace efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
- He plans to meet Putin in Budapest for discussions.
- A team of advisors will support the negotiations.
- Trump believes Middle East successes will aid in negotiations.
- Increased military cooperation with Ukraine is underway.
New York, Oct 16 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump has initiated a renewed effort to conclude the “inglorious” conflict between Russia and Ukraine, announcing his intention to meet with Vladimir Putin.
Prior to a meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday, Trump spoke with Putin, stating on Truth Social, “I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation.”
He indicated he would brief Zelensky on his dialogue with Putin.
The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed the conversation.
After a recent high-profile summit in Alaska that concluded without a resolution, Trump has adopted a firmer stance toward Russia.
Following his success in mediating the Gaza conflict, Trump has shifted his focus back to the Ukraine War.
“I genuinely believe that the success in the Middle East will facilitate our negotiations to end the war with Russia/Ukraine,”
he stated.
A team of senior advisors, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is scheduled to meet with Russian officials next week at a yet-to-be-determined location.
“President Putin and I will then convene in an agreed-upon venue, Budapest, Hungary, to explore options for concluding this ‘inglorious’ war between Russia and Ukraine,”
he added.
The President of Hungary, Viktor Orban, shares ideological similarities with Trump and is generally more conciliatory towards Putin compared to other members of the European Union.
Trump, who had previously claimed he could end the Ukraine War within 24 hours of taking office, has described this task as his most formidable challenge.
Utilizing trade as both a tool and an incentive, he expressed interest in discussing future trade relations between Russia and the United States once the conflict with Ukraine is resolved.
Consistently seeking validation for his diplomatic efforts, Trump remarked, “President Putin congratulated me and the United States on the Great Accomplishment of Peace in the Middle East, something that, he said, has been dreamed of for centuries.”
After the unsuccessful outreach in Alaska, Trump has reportedly intensified intelligence cooperation with Ukraine and is contemplating providing Kyiv with Tomahawk missiles capable of reaching Moscow.
He has also ramped up his verbal criticism of Putin and Russia.
On Wednesday, Peskov mentioned that Russia is receptive to ending the war and appreciates Trump’s initiatives.