Washington: President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday that he plans to engage Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in talks aimed at ending the nearly three-year-long war. Referring to the conflict as “carnage,” Trump emphasized the need to stop the ongoing devastation.
Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump criticized the Biden administration’s extensive financial aid to Ukraine and reiterated his belief that he could quickly resolve the conflict. He stated that discussions with both leaders were essential to achieving peace and stopping the violence.
The announcement comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Russian military for its significant advances in Ukraine. Addressing senior military officials in Moscow, Putin claimed that Russian forces had seized the "strategic initiative" along the entire front line. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov added that Russian troops had captured nearly 4,500 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory this year and were advancing rapidly.
Amid Russia's intensified offensives, including its approach toward the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, Ukraine’s allies have raised concerns about potential territorial concessions in exchange for peace. Poland’s Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, stressed that Ukraine must not be pressured into unfavorable peace talks, asserting that it is the aggressor, not the victim, who should be forced to negotiate.
Ukraine continues to endure the impact of the war as its energy infrastructure suffers from persistent Russian attacks. The harsh winter has compounded challenges for the country, which is striving to resist and rebuild despite ongoing devastation.
Meanwhile, global attention has turned to North Korea’s alleged involvement in the conflict. Ukraine recently claimed to have killed or injured at least 30 North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region. The U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine have accused North Korea of deploying over 10,000 soldiers to support Russia, prompting widespread condemnation. In a joint statement, ten nations and the European Union called Pyongyang's actions a dangerous escalation with serious consequences for global security.
Putin defended Russia’s soaring military spending, which now exceeds six percent of GDP, citing the necessity of funding the “special military operation.” He described the expenditures as substantial but argued they were being used efficiently.
Trump’s pledge to pursue negotiations follows earlier calls for an immediate ceasefire and the start of peace talks. His recent meeting with Zelenskyy, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighted Ukraine’s demand for enduring peace and security guarantees.
As Trump prepares to take office in January, the conflict remains a pressing global concern, with both Ukraine and Russia intensifying efforts to gain an advantage on the battlefield ahead of any potential negotiations.
With IANS inputs