Anna Hartz
Trump Says Putin Talks May Bring Peace, Experts Doubt It
Wars drag on not only because of weapons and politics. Sometimes, they continue because they serve someone’s interests. Many experts believe this is exactly the case with the war in Ukraine.
Now, former U.S. President Donald Trump claims he’s making progress toward ending the conflict.
He said a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin could take place soon. He even suggested Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, might be part of the talks. Trump called the possible meeting a chance to move toward peace, reports LA.LV.
Renewed Hope?
Trump’s comments have made headlines, but not everyone is convinced. According to CNN, officials in Washington believe the Kremlin may be using diplomacy again as a way to stall while continuing the war.
Trust in Putin’s word is low. Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian cities in recent weeks. The strikes have been some of the most intense since the war began.
David Salvo, a Russia expert from the German Marshall Fund, says we shouldn’t forget what this war means for Putin.
It keeps his regime alive. “It helps him politically, economically, and ideologically,” Salvo said.
Trump recently sent his adviser, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow. Witkoff met with Putin. Trump says that visit brought some renewed hope, but so far nothing concrete has come of it.
Similar Promises in the Past
He still claims there’s a good chance the war could end soon. But critics point out that Trump has made similar promises before. In the past, he said he could end the war in 24 hours. That never happened.
Now, Trump is pushing harder. He’s talking about new sanctions on Russia. He’s also targeting India with tariffs because it continues to buy Russian oil. These steps could be a way to pressure Putin into making a deal.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky said on Wednesday that Russia may finally be showing signs of wanting a ceasefire.
But he urged caution. “We need to look at every offer closely,” he said. “The most important thing is not to be fooled—neither us nor the Americans.”
