Trump Pushes for Immediate Ceasefire and Peace Talks With Biden, Ukraine Officials, as Ukraine War Nears Third Anniversary, but Critics Question Feasibility Amid Russian Gains and Complex Negotiations
President-elect Donald Trump’s national security team is actively exploring ways to end the war in Ukraine, holding discussions with the Biden administration and Ukraine officials and leaders, sources told NBC News. While no formal peace plan has been proposed, the talks signal Trump’s intent to address the conflict early in his presidency.
Mixed Signals from Trump on Ukraine Policy
Despite pledging to halt the conflict “on day one,” Trump has delivered inconsistent messages. He has called the casualties “a tragedy” and urged Russia to make peace, but hinted at scaling back U.S. military aid to Ukraine and limiting Kyiv’s use of American-made long-range missiles.
The lack of clarity has left experts questioning whether Trump can secure Russian President Vladimir Putin’s cooperation, especially as Moscow gains ground in eastern Ukraine. It remains unknown whether Trump’s team has engaged directly with Putin’s government.
When asked on Meet the Press if he had spoken to Putin, Trump said,
“I don’t want to do anything that could impede the negotiation,”
declining to confirm any recent communication.
Bipartisan Transition Talks Aim to Ensure Stability
Outgoing National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has held several conversations with his successor, Rep. Mike Waltz, focusing on information-sharing rather than peace strategies. A senior Biden official emphasized that these talks are designed to avoid surprises during the transition.
“Trump is serious about achieving a ceasefire,”
a source close to the discussions said, though challenges loom as the war nears its third anniversary.
Ukraine Voices Optimism Amid Uncertainty
Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have participated in constructive talks with Trump’s team. Zelenskyy met Trump in Paris recently in a meeting facilitated by French President Emmanuel Macron.
“There’s a sense that Trump understands Ukraine is not the obstacle to peace,”
a source familiar with the discussions noted.
However, Trump’s camp has not yet shared any formal plans with Kyiv, fueling concerns about potential concessions to Russia.
Critics Warn of Strategic Risks in Proposed Peace Plans
Proposals floated by Trump’s advisers include barring Ukraine from NATO membership for up to a decade and freezing the current front lines. Critics argue such measures could embolden Russia and undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst said there is little indication that Putin is willing to compromise, especially as Russian forces gain momentum in eastern Ukraine.
A Russian ultra-nationalist tied to the Kremlin dismissed early proposals from Trump’s team, insisting that broader negotiations addressing Moscow’s global security concerns would be required for progress.
Uncertain Path Forward as War Drags On
As Trump’s inauguration approaches, his transition team faces mounting pressure to outline a clear strategy. Whether the incoming administration can navigate the complex geopolitics of the conflict remains to be seen.
“Trump has an opportunity to make history, but the road to peace will be fraught with obstacles,”
said a senior official.
The Biden administration, meanwhile, has warned against any agreement that would block Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, calling it a potential win for Putin’s long-term objectives.
For now, the world waits to see whether Trump’s promises of peace will translate into tangible progress—or fall victim to the entrenched challenges of a war that has reshaped global alliances.
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