On February 12, 2025, a significant diplomatic move took place: U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had a “lengthy and highly productive phone conversation” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The two leaders discussed initiating ceasefire negotiations to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Both agreed that their teams would immediately begin discussions and expressed their intention to visit each other’s countries in the near future, with their first meeting set to take place in Saudi Arabia.
Following his conversation with Putin, Trump reached out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky confirmed the call, stating, “Together with the U.S., we are determining our next steps to end Russian aggression and ensure a long-lasting and reliable peace.” He emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in any peace talks, asserting that all agreements must directly include Ukraine.
However, the proposed negotiations sparked mixed reactions on the international stage. European leaders voiced concerns about possible concessions to Russia and the exclusion of key stakeholders from the discussions.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticized the U.S. for making concessions to Russia ahead of peace talks, particularly by ruling out Ukraine’s NATO membership. He stressed that such actions could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu echoed these concerns, warning against achieving peace through weakness. He underscored the necessity of supporting Ukraine so it could negotiate from a position of strength and urged European allies to increase military spending.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that “all options are being considered” to achieve peace in Ukraine, including the possible reduction of American troop presence in Europe. He emphasized that President Trump would lead the peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Hegseth also noted that Europe must boost its financial and military assistance to Ukraine while the U.S. focuses on its own security and countering China.
The Kremlin reacted positively to these developments, expressing gratitude to the current U.S. administration for its commitment to peace. Russian officials praised the shift in U.S. policy, viewing it as a diplomatic breakthrough that could lead to favorable outcomes for Russia.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, skepticism remains among U.S. and European officials, particularly regarding China’s role in the peace process.
Media reports indicated that China proposed hosting a summit between President Trump and President Putin and acting as a peace mediator after a ceasefire agreement. However, given Beijing’s close ties with Moscow, doubts persist about its neutrality and true intentions.
Notably, China’s proposal excludes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, contradicting Western commitments to include Ukraine in discussions about its future.
As the situation unfolds, the global community is closely monitoring developments, recognizing the complexity of negotiating a lasting peace in Ukraine. The success of these diplomatic initiatives will depend on the involvement of all relevant parties, the preservation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, and the establishment of a balanced approach that considers the security interests of all stakeholders.
