Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, expressed his desire to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin "as soon as possible" to discuss the growing war, which he described as "horrible, horrible." This statement was made during a political event held on December 22, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona.
During the event, Trump reiterated his concerns about the toll the conflict is taking, both on Ukraine and globally, stating, "That war is horrible, horrible," and emphasized the urgent need for discussions to end hostilities. He highlighted the necessity of seeking peace and has indicated he is open to using his influence as President to facilitate discussions between the two nations.
Trump’s remarks come at a time when many are hopeful about the prospect of de-escalation of the Ukraine conflict. With the upcoming inauguration of Trump’s presidency, speculation is rising over the potential impact his return might have on U.S.-Russia relations. He boasts of being able to possibly resolve the conflict quickly if elected, even claiming he could end it "in 24 hours."
While Trump’s approach indicates he would consolidate military aid to Ukraine, he has started to signal to NATO allies the need to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP. This shift from his earlier campaign trail rhetoric, where he suggested cutbacks on defense aid and urged Kyiv to engage seriously with Russia, strengthens concerns about America's commitment to NATO and its allies within Europe.
Analysts are debating the logistics and potential outcomes of any proposed meeting. Reports indicate Trump may want to leverage economic pressures on Russia, particularly with the backdrop of uncertain economic conditions within the country, as well as the heavy costs incurred by the prolonged conflict.
The war, lasting for almost three years, has seen Russia struggle economically, raising questions about Putin's possible willingness to negotiate. Commentators like Ukrainian political analyst Vitalij Portnikov have stressed the importance of not allowing any victory for Russia at the cost of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
“For us the important thing is not so much the state of the economy, but what Putin thinks about the state of the economy,” Portnikov stated, highlighting the uncertain outcomes any peace discussions may yield.
Experts also remark on the Russian use of propaganda, which has pervaded social media and other platforms, attempting to persuade the Ukrainian public of potential benefits of coexistence with Russia, arguing against prolonged resistance.
Despite these challenges, Trump’s readiness to engage with Putin could signal new dynamics surrounding the war—an attempt both to stabilize relations and to shield Ukraine from the challenges of Russian aggression.
The situation remains fluid, but there is little doubt about the significance any Trump-Putin meeting would hold, not only for Ukraine but for global geopolitics. If actualized, it might present both opportunities and hurdles for achieving lasting peace. Observers are now left waiting to see if these discussions can materialize and, if they do, what possible outcomes may emerge.
