U.S. President Donald Trump, praised for his role in negotiating a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, is now focusing on resolving the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Trump is set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House after reporting “great progress” in a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskyy is optimistic that Trump’s success in the Middle East could also contribute to ending the war in Europe. He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum for peace efforts, suggesting that U.S. actions could play a crucial role in halting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
However, experts caution that achieving peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict will be a more challenging task compared to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The U.S. has significantly more influence over Israel than it does over Russia, with diplomatic, economic, and military support bolstering the relationship between the U.S. and Israel.
Despite Western sanctions, which have limited impact due to Russia’s economic ties with China and India, Maria Snegovaya from the Center for Strategic and International Studies believes that ending Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine will require more than just diplomatic efforts. Trump’s proposal to provide Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, capable of striking deep inside Russia, could be a significant topic of discussion during the upcoming meeting with Zelenskyy.
While the missiles could enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities, experts caution that they may not be a definitive solution to compel Russia into a peace agreement. Russia’s economy would need to face severe challenges before Putin considers making concessions, according to Snegovaya.
Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, suggests that possessing Tomahawk missiles could alter Putin’s calculations in the conflict but may not be a game-changer. He highlights the importance of convincing Putin that prolonging the war is not in Russia’s best interest.
Trump’s planned meeting with Putin in Hungary, following their previous unsuccessful encounter in Alaska, reflects his determination to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Despite the complexities of the situation, Trump remains confident in his ability to negotiate peace, citing his successful efforts in the Middle East as a testament to his diplomatic skills.