U.S. President Donald Trump, who received praise for his role in brokering a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating the return of Israeli hostages, is now focusing on resolving another conflict he vowed to end upon his return to office: Russia’s war with Ukraine. Trump is set to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on Friday following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Trump noted “great progress.”
Zelenskyy aims to draw a connection between Trump’s achievements in the Middle East and the potential for peace in Europe. He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum for peace efforts, suggesting that U.S. actions could contribute to ending Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Despite Zelenskyy’s optimism and Trump’s belief in his ability to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, experts caution that resolving this conflict will pose a more significant challenge compared to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, highlighted the limited parallels between the two conflicts, emphasizing the U.S.’s stronger influence over Israel than Russia.
Maria Snegovaya, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, echoed the sentiment that ending Russia’s war on Ukraine presents a formidable task for Trump. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy that involves not only incentives but also deterrent measures.
One such measure Trump mentioned is the potential provision of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, a topic expected to feature prominently in his meeting with Zelenskyy. While analysts acknowledge that the missiles could enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities, they caution against viewing them as a definitive solution to compel Russia into a peace agreement.
Snegovaya stressed the importance of weakening Russia’s economy to pressure Putin into making concessions, noting that the current economic conditions do not yet warrant a significant shift in Russia’s stance. Kupchan added that while the presence of Tomahawks could alter Putin’s calculations, it would not guarantee a swift resolution to the conflict.
Trump’s expressed confidence in his ability to mediate between Putin and Zelenskyy, despite the complexities of the situation, remains unwavering. He affirmed his commitment to pursuing peace initiatives during a recent Oval Office event, underscoring his determination to facilitate a resolution to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.