Trump plans to call Putin soon
President Trump and leader Putin (Photo: RBC-Ukraine collage)
At the center of the negotiation agenda regarding the war in Ukraine is direct contact between Washington and Moscow, on which, in essence, the further logic of a potential peace process and its parameters depend, according to a Politico report.
On Friday, December 26, Donald Trump, in a conversation with American media, essentially indicated that key decisions regarding any potential agreement between Ukraine and Russia would be made solely with his involvement.
Particular attention was drawn to his comment about an upcoming conversation with Vladimir Putin, whom Trump mentioned separately, signaling his readiness for direct dialogue at any moment.
Trump-Putin conversation as a key factor
According to Trump, he remains the final arbiter of any peace settlement. "He doesn’t have anything until I approve it," Trump said, commenting on proposals from the Ukrainian side.
The potential conversation between Trump and the Russian dictator is seen as the decisive moment for subsequent steps, while other diplomatic contacts remain secondary and supportive.
Ukrainian initiatives in the background
It is expected that Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with Trump in Florida and present a new 20-point peace agreement plan, which includes, among other things, the idea of a demilitarized zone and questions of security guarantees from the US.
However, in the interview, Trump showed a restrained attitude toward these initiatives and did not express support in advance.
Contacts with Trump’s circle
The statements came the day after Zelenskyy spoke with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Ukrainian side described the contact as a good conversation, but, according to Trump’s rhetoric, the decisive factor remains his personal communication with Putin.
US President Donald Trump, commenting on initiatives for a potential peace settlement, indicated that the proposals Zelenskyy intends to bring to the negotiations would carry no real weight without his approval, emphasizing that the final decision on such a plan rests with him.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump will hold a telephone conversation on December 27 with European leaders, aimed at informing partners about the current state of the negotiation process and coordinating further approaches.
