Newly elected US President Donald Trump considers the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine to be his top priority. In his speech on December 22, Trump announced his desire to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ways to end the war that has been ongoing on Ukrainian territory for over a year.
"Stopping the war is one of those things that I want to do quickly. President Putin said he wanted to meet with me as soon as possible. We must put an end to this war," Trump stressed.
However, Moscow has not yet shown readiness for concrete steps. The press secretary of the Russian president, Dmytro Peskov, noted that there were no "real impulses" for negotiations on the part of the newly elected American leader. "So far, there have been no real impulses," he said, answering reporters' questions about the possibility of a meeting before Trump's inauguration. Putin, for his part, on a direct line on December 19 emphasized his readiness for negotiations with Trump at any time, but there are still no concrete agreements. Moreover, Peskov added that in January 2025, the president of the Russian Federation plans to travel abroad, but did not specify their route. Trump's remarks raise hopes for renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war. However, analysts note that the prospect of a quick end to the conflict seems unlikely due to the limited willingness of both sides to compromise. Peskov's statement about the lack of "real impulses" may indicate Russia's caution in waiting for specific proposals from the new US leader.
The key issue remains Moscow's willingness to make concessions. Experts emphasize that any negotiations will require guarantees from both sides, as well as broad international support. At the same time, Trump is known for his pragmatic approach to foreign policy, which can create new conditions for dialogue. For now, the future of the meeting between Trump and Putin remains uncertain. The inauguration of the new US president is scheduled for January 2025, and the first 100 days of his administration are likely to be decisive in shaping Washington's new strategy for the war in Ukraine.
For Ukraine, which continues to fight for its territorial integrity, such negotiations can become an important moment for determining the further course of the war or a possible peace. World leaders are closely watching this development, because the fate of this conflict will affect not only Europe, but also global geopolitical stability.
