Trump's Team Plans Early Communication with Putin Post-Inauguration
As Donald Trump prepares for his upcoming presidency, his team is reportedly organizing an initial phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This conversation is expected to occur shortly after Trump's inauguration, as reported by various sources.
According to insiders, the primary objective of this call would be to lay the groundwork for a potential in-person meeting aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Members of Trump's national security team have been engaged in planning this communication for several weeks, although the exact timing of the call has yet to be confirmed.
This prospective dialogue marks a notable departure from the approach taken by the current administration. President Joe Biden has not had a direct conversation with Putin for nearly three years, a significant gap that contrasts sharply with Trump's intentions.
Earlier this month, Trump affirmed his desire to speak with the Russian leader, indicating that arrangements for the meeting are in progress. He has been vocal in his criticism of U.S. assistance to Ukraine, pledging to swiftly resolve the hostilities.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has expressed that Putin is receptive to discussions with the new U.S. president without any preconditions. However, Peskov also emphasized that no substantial preparations for such talks are currently underway, suggesting that both parties may wait until Trump officially assumes office.
Commenting on the potential discussions regarding Ukraine, Yury Ushakov, a foreign policy aide to Putin, stated that the incoming U.S. administration would take the lead in initiating dialogue. Ushakov noted that they are waiting patiently for Trump's team to take over, after which the situation could evolve.
In recent weeks, reports have surfaced that Trump's team is considering a peace proposal for Ukraine. This plan may include establishing a ceasefire along current frontline positions and creating a demilitarized zone, approximately 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) long, which could be monitored by European troops. The proposal could also involve Ukraine postponing its aspirations for NATO membership for a period of at least 20 years.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has voiced his discontent with aspects of the reported peace plan, particularly the suggestion of delaying Ukraine's NATO ambitions and the deployment of Western peacekeeping forces in the region. Moscow remains firm that it will not agree to a mere freeze of the conflict, insisting on achieving all objectives of its military objectives, including the establishment of permanent neutrality for Ukraine, its demilitarization, and denazification.
Additionally, Russia has indicated that it would immediately agree to a ceasefire if Ukraine begins withdrawing its forces from territories claimed by Russia, including the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye.
