WASHINGTON/MOSCOW/KYIV, Feb 12 – U.S. President Donald Trump announced that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy conveyed their willingness to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The statement came after Trump spoke with both leaders separately on Wednesday, following which he directed U.S. officials to initiate diplomatic discussions aimed at ending the prolonged conflict.
Shift in U.S. Approach to Ukraine War
This development follows remarks from Trump’s defense secretary, signaling a major change in Washington’s stance on the war. According to officials, Kyiv would need to abandon its pursuit of NATO membership and accept territorial concessions as part of a potential settlement. These comments indicate a departure from the previous administration’s policy, which was heavily focused on military aid and strategic backing for Ukraine.
During an extensive discussion lasting over an hour, Trump and Putin explored possibilities for a ceasefire. Trump later told reporters at the White House that Putin was open to negotiations, emphasizing that any peace deal should be permanent rather than a temporary halt to fighting.
“He wants it to end. He doesn’t want to end it and then go back to fighting six months later,” Trump stated. “I believe we’re moving towards peace. Both President Putin and President Zelenskiy seek an end to the conflict, and so do I. My main goal is to stop the loss of lives.”
Trump’s Efforts to Mediate Peace
Trump has repeatedly claimed that he would swiftly bring an end to the war in Ukraine, though he has not provided detailed plans on how this would be achieved. Following his conversation with Putin, the Kremlin confirmed that both leaders agreed to meet soon, with Moscow extending an invitation for Trump to visit Russia. Trump suggested that their initial meeting would “probably” take place in Saudi Arabia.
On his social media platform, Trump revealed that a team of top officials—including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, national security adviser Michael Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff—would lead peace negotiations.
After concluding his conversation with Putin, Trump reached out to Zelenskiy. The Ukrainian leader later posted on social media, confirming that their discussion lasted about an hour.
“I had a meaningful conversation with @POTUS. “We talked about potential ways to achieve peace, our willingness to collaborate, and Ukraine’s advancements in technology, including drones and other cutting-edge industries,” Zelenskiy stated.
No significant peace talks have taken place since the initial months of the conflict, which began in early 2022. The previous U.S. administration, led by Joe Biden, provided substantial military and financial assistance to Ukraine but did not engage in direct diplomacy with Putin.
Territorial Disputes and Security Concerns
Currently, Russia controls nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory and has insisted that any peace deal should include additional territorial concessions from Kyiv, as well as Ukraine’s permanent neutrality. Ukraine, on the other hand, has maintained that it will not accept any settlement that does not involve a full withdrawal of Russian forces and either NATO membership or strong security guarantees to prevent future aggression.
European leaders, including officials from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, underscored their position on Wednesday, stating that any negotiations should involve key international stakeholders. They emphasized the need for a just agreement that includes security guarantees, arguing that lasting peace would not be possible without ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and protection.
A Stark Warning from the U.S. Defense Secretary
Earlier in the day, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined the administration’s evolving stance, asserting that Ukraine’s aspirations to regain its pre-2014 borders were unrealistic.
“We all want a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. But we must acknowledge that reclaiming Ukraine’s borders from before 2014 is not a realistic objective,” Hegseth said at a NATO summit in Brussels. “Pursuing this unattainable goal will only extend the war and bring more suffering.”
This statement represents the clearest indication yet that Washington may be willing to support a compromise, even if it means Ukraine does not recover all lost territory. Hegseth also emphasized that any durable peace agreement should include “robust security guarantees to ensure that the war does not restart.” However, he clarified that U.S. troops would not be deployed to Ukraine as part of such an agreement.
Economic Incentives for Ukraine
In recent months, President Zelenskiy has sought to secure ongoing U.S. support by proposing economic collaborations with the United States, particularly in the mining sector. His government has suggested that American investment in Ukraine’s mineral resources could serve as an alternative form of security support post-war.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was in Kyiv on Wednesday, echoed this sentiment, stating that such a partnership could act as a “security shield” for Ukraine in the aftermath of the conflict.
Meanwhile, further discussions on the war are set to take place later this week. Trump confirmed that Rubio and Vice President JD Vance would participate in talks in Munich, where Ukrainian officials are expected to attend an annual security conference.
Prisoner Exchange Signals Possible Diplomatic Breakthrough
The renewed diplomatic push follows a recent U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange, which many analysts see as a potential step toward rebuilding trust between the two nations.
On Tuesday, Russia released an American schoolteacher, Marc Fogel, who had been serving a 14-year sentence in a Russian prison. In return, the U.S. released a Russian national convicted of cybercrimes. The Kremlin welcomed the exchange, noting that it could pave the way for further negotiations on various geopolitical matters.
Looking Ahead
As Trump positions himself as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict, both supporters and critics are closely watching how his administration navigates these sensitive negotiations. While his efforts signal a potential diplomatic breakthrough, the road to a final peace agreement remains uncertain, with territorial disputes and security concerns still major sticking points.
Despite the optimism expressed by Trump and the two warring leaders, significant challenges remain. Ukraine’s insistence on full sovereignty, Russia’s territorial ambitions, and the involvement of European allies in the negotiations will all play critical roles in determining whether a peace deal can be achieved in the near future.