Trump Begins Working to End the War Between Russia and Ukraine
Feb 12, 2025
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President Trump made headlines with phone calls to both Russian and Ukrainian leaders, sparking hopes for peace negotiations. Insights reveal a shift in U.S. diplomacy and its potential effects on NATO relations. U.S. Defense Secretary's comments highlight the challenges of restoring Ukraine's borders and transferring defense responsibilities to European allies. The podcast also examines the complexities of Ukraine's NATO membership amid growing security concerns, questioning the alliance's credibility in facing Russian aggression.
Trump's recent phone calls with Putin and Zelensky indicate a renewed push for immediate peace negotiations despite complexities surrounding Ukraine's sovereignty.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense suggested that Ukraine must abandon its NATO aspirations, raising concerns about its security and future territorial integrity.
Deep dives
Diplomatic Engagements with Russia and Ukraine
Recent phone calls between President Trump, President Putin of Russia, and President Zelensky of Ukraine signal a renewed diplomatic effort to end the ongoing conflict between the two nations. During a 90-minute conversation with Putin, Trump expressed a desire for immediate peace negotiations, highlighting both leaders' interest in achieving a resolution. His non-committal remarks about Ukraine's role in the peace process raised concerns, particularly when he noted Zelensky's unpopularity in Ukraine. This context introduces complexities regarding how Ukraine's sovereignty will be addressed within upcoming negotiations, particularly since the country has not held elections during wartime.
U.S. Strategic Position on Ukraine's Future
The U.S. Secretary of Defense articulated expectations for the future of Ukraine in the context of Trump’s potential negotiations, asserting that Ukraine should abandon aspirations to return to pre-2014 borders or to join NATO as these goals are deemed unrealistic. This position implies that Russian seizure of territory may be tacitly accepted, further complicating Ukraine's sovereignty and security concerns. The approach articulated may leave Kyiv vulnerable without significant U.S. ground support or NATO guarantees. As concerns over NATO’s credibility arise, particularly from Baltic leaders, the ramifications of this stance could shape both Ukraine's future and the broader geopolitical balance in Eastern Europe significantly.
President Trump had separate phone calls with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine on the same day. Following the calls, Trump posted on social media that both leaders want peace and he said that he wanted negotiations on ending the war between Russia and Ukraine to begin immediately. We hear about what this could mean from NPR's White House correspondent. We also hear about how the U.S. relationship with NATO is expected to change under Trump.