US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a new phone call amid Trump’s peacemaking efforts in the Middle East and intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Trump is actively involved in the peace process between Israel and Hamas, with the signing of the first phase of an agreement in Cairo expected to be a diplomatic highlight. He also plans to address the Israeli Knesset, emphasizing the release of Israeli hostages who spent over two years in captivity.
Against this backdrop, Trump seeks to advance conflict resolution efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war. However, there is no real progress so far, and Russian President Putin seems dismissive of Trump’s threats to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine. Putin has also promised to strengthen Russian air defense and showcase new weaponry.
Zelensky stressed the importance of engaging Russia in genuine peace negotiations. To date, consultations between Russia, the US, and Ukraine have largely been seen as performative, intended to maintain the status quo without additional military aid or sanctions against Russia.
During Trump’s presidency, escalation in US rhetoric has been met with intensified Russian actions, including hybrid warfare against European countries. Moscow has taken no steps to facilitate a high-level meeting between Putin and Zelensky. Russo-American talks are currently on hold.
The call between the US and Ukrainian presidents underscored Trump’s awareness of the limitations of his efforts in resolving the Russia-Ukraine crisis, which poses challenges for the West as a whole.
Putin aims to force Ukrainian society to accept his demands by ramping up attacks and applying energy pressure in the winter, intending to compel capitulation and territorial concessions. Resolving this crisis requires strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and supplying advanced weaponry.
Stopping Putin is the task not just for Zelensky, but for the collective West. The global role of the US likewise depends on success in ending this war. Amid geopolitical tension and a trade war with China, this position grows increasingly crucial.
