Trump Offers to Broker Ukraine Peace Deal in Calls with Putin and Zelenskyy Ahead of NATO Summit

Anna Wright

12 hours ago7 min read

Former President Donald Trump has stepped into the center of international diplomacy, offering to personally broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. In a series of phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump proposed a framework for ending the war that has ravaged Eastern Europe for over two years.The outreach, confirmed by sources close to the former president, comes just days before the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, where Ukraine’s future membership and continued Western aid are expected to dominate the agenda. Trump’s intervention marks a significant shift in the dynamics of the conflict, as the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election has long claimed he could end the war “in 24 hours” if re-elected.While he has not yet returned to the White House, his direct engagement with both leaders signals a potential preview of his foreign policy approach. According to aides, Trump has proposed a ceasefire along current front lines, coupled with a demilitarized zone monitored by international peacekeepers, and a commitment from Kyiv to delay NATO membership for at least a decade.In exchange, Russia would agree to a full withdrawal of troops from occupied territories, though the status of Crimea remains a sticking point. The Kremlin has responded cautiously, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that Moscow is “always open to serious proposals” but reiterating that any deal must recognize Russia’s territorial gains and security concerns.Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, have expressed skepticism. President Zelenskyy’s office confirmed the call but emphasized that any peace plan must be based on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including the return of all occupied land.“We will not accept a frozen conflict that legitimizes aggression,” a senior Ukrainian diplomat told reporters on condition of anonymity. The timing of Trump’s diplomatic push is critical.The NATO summit, set to begin next week in Washington, is expected to reaffirm the alliance’s support for Ukraine but also to grapple with internal divisions over the pace of Kyiv’s membership process. Several member states, including Hungary and Slovakia, have expressed reluctance to fast-track Ukraine’s entry, while the Biden administration has urged patience.Trump’s proposal, if taken seriously by European allies, could reshape the debate by offering an off-ramp that avoids a direct NATO-Russia confrontation while still providing security guarantees to Ukraine. Analysts are divided on the feasibility of Trump’s plan.Some argue that his transactional style and personal rapport with Putin could unlock a breakthrough that the Biden administration’s more cautious approach has failed to achieve. Others warn that any deal negotiated by Trump would likely favor Russian interests, given his history of praising Putin and questioning NATO’s value.“Trump sees this as a deal-making opportunity, not a moral crusade,” said Dr. Elena Volkov, a Russia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.“The risk is that Ukraine ends up paying the price for a premature peace that leaves Russia in control of significant territory. ” On the ground, the war continues to exact a heavy toll.Russian forces have recently intensified their offensive in the Donetsk region, while Ukraine has stepped up drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Casualties on both sides remain high, and millions of Ukrainians remain displaced.The humanitarian situation in occupied areas is dire, with reports of forced conscription and suppression of Ukrainian language and culture. Any peace deal would need to address not only territorial questions but also the fate of prisoners of war, war crimes accountability, and reconstruction aid.As the NATO summit approaches, all eyes will be on how the Biden administration responds to Trump’s parallel diplomacy. While the White House has not commented directly on the former president’s calls, a National Security Council spokesperson reiterated that “no decisions about Ukraine’s future will be made without Ukraine’s participation and consent. ” The coming weeks will test whether Trump’s brand of personal diplomacy can produce results where traditional statecraft has stalled — or whether it will further complicate an already volatile geopolitical landscape.

#hottest news

#Donald Trump

#Vladimir Putin

#Volodymyr Zelenskyy

#Ukraine war

#NATO summit

#peace talks

#Russia-Ukraine conflict

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