Trump-Putin Telephonic Conversation and the Peace Negotiation

The Russia-Ukraine war appears inching towards its end. United States President Donald Trump’s surprise phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin prompted agreement by the two leaders for ending the war. A U.S. delegation is scheduled to hold talks with a Russian team in Saudi Arabia.

But Europe sulks as it feels left out in the whole process despite its huge support to Ukraine in the war against Russia, and huge stakes in the matter. Moreover, Europe has been concerned about Russian aggression and would not like to stay away from the peace process.

Secondly, the Saudi Arabia talk between the U.S. and Russia teams has ruled out Ukraine’s presence in the talk.

The twin points cast some doubt on the amicable peace deal and ending of Ukraine-Russia war, though on the other side there is a determined Trump who appears all set to push through for an end to the war—as he promised.

Trump had termed the phone call with Putin as "great", and said that there was a "good possibility of ending that horrible, very bloody war".

Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social, said: "We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s nations. We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiation…”—shows that war is ending finally.

Saudi Arabia talk between the U.S. and Russia

According to reports, U.S. team for Saudi Arabia talk includes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The Russian team is not yet clear.

How Ukraine and Russia would like to see the war end

The war is more than three years now, one of the longest drawn wars in Europe.

In the initial days, Ukraine thought that it will win the war against Russia, but as time passed, it felt that she was wrong. Russia too thought that it can end the war soon, but Ukraine managed to withstand. Ukraine in the process has lost one fifth of its territories to Russia occupation.

Ukraine would like that the Russian occupied territories are released to Ukraine. Ukraine President Zelensky says Ukraine will never accept Ukraine territories as Russian territories in the peace negotiation.

Crimea, and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. Now, the occupation has expanded to some 27 per cent of Ukraine territories.

Ukraine would like that Russia withdraws its forces from the occupied territories as part of the peace negotiation.

But US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has already negated those hopes, terming Ukraine’s thinking as an“unrealistic”and “illusory goal”.

Russia will never want the territories handed over to Ukraine.

Secondly, Ukraine has long-applied for a NATO membership. But, Russia does not like NATO forces at its border—and would not like to see Ukraine become a NATO member. A NATO membership would ensure support for Ukraine in future against an aggression by any nation. However, U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth has already downplayed Ukraine’s wish for NATO membership, saying that the U.S. does not believe that Nato membership for Ukraine is “a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement”.

Europe and the Ukraine-Russia Peace

Saudi Arabia talk involves only the U.S. and Russia—and not Ukraine and the Europe.

Europe has been sulking over the progress of the peace-process and saying that it is going to be bad for all.

The recent visit to Europe by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to attend Munich Security Conference, left the European nations more confused on many issues as far as U.S.-Europe alliance goes.

What does the U.S. want?

That Trump wants to see his election promise achieved is for sure. He would like to prove to the world that he does not just say it, but does it.

Europe has given support worth billions of euros to Ukraine for the war, and so had the U.S. done.

But Europe, particularly the wealthy nations—Germany to say it, is not willing to further continue its support as its own economy is in bad shape now, which has caused political upheaval within the country.

Ukraine is tired.  Russia too would not like to go on with the war, though it is not showing. The economic sanctions by Europe and the U.S. due to the war is weighing too much on Russia.

The United States of America does not want to continue its war support to Ukraine or even to other European nations in near future. Trump administration policy is clear, ‘fund yourself for your security’—which has already been voiced at different platforms in recent days.

A few days back, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that it is very unlikely that the U.S. will send its troops to Ukraine—which leaves little alternative for Ukraine but to accept the peace negotiation.

Ukraine-Europe Concerned

Ukraine President Zelenskyi, who is sulking for not invited for Saudi Arabia peace negotiation, has said that Ukraine will not engage with Russia before he talks to the European allies. European nations themselves are not easy with the way peace negotiation has been progressing. Thus, there is fear that the peace deal may not be agreed upon by Ukraine and Europe. However, given the situation Ukraine and Europe are in, disagreement by Ukraine-Europe on the U.S.-led eventual peace deal is also unlikely.

The Saudi Arab talk is the beginning to end of the war. Trump-Putin meet may follow after the terms are agreed upon at the meets that would precede.

What Europe wants

Europe wants a good peace deal with Russia, one that will not harm its security and interest as far as Russia is concerned. The European nations are always in doubt about Russia’s moves, and they do not want this deal to pass without their stands being properly taken into.  

As it is, the peace negotiation is in the offing, but appears a long and an arduous way ahead.