U.S. President Donald Trump, praised for his role in mediating a truce in Gaza and the release of Israeli captives, is now focusing on resolving another conflict he vowed to address upon returning to office: the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Trump is set to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, following a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Trump noted significant progress.
Zelenskyy is keen on linking Trump’s achievements in the Middle East with the potential for resolving the European conflict. Emphasizing the importance of sustaining peace efforts, Zelenskyy expressed optimism that U.S. actions could contribute to ending Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. However, experts caution that bridging the gap between Russia and Ukraine will pose a more intricate challenge compared to the Israel-Hamas conflict resolution.
Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, highlights the substantial disparity in U.S. influence over Israel versus Russia, noting that the leverage in the latter case is significantly limited. Despite Western sanctions, Russia’s economic ties with China and India diminish the efficacy of economic pressure in ending the conflict.
Maria Snegovaya, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, underscores the complexities involved in halting Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine, suggesting that Trump would face a tougher task compared to his efforts in Gaza. The potential provision of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, a move that Trump hinted at during his conversation with Putin, is expected to be a focal point in his meeting with Zelenskyy.
While the missiles could enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities, analysts caution against viewing them as a definitive solution to compel Russia into a peace agreement. Snegovaya emphasizes that significant economic strain on Russia would be necessary to prompt serious concessions from Putin, a scenario that remains distant at present. Kupchan notes that the presence of Tomahawks might alter Putin’s calculus on the war’s duration but would not be a decisive factor in ending the conflict.
Trump’s intention to meet Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks, following their inconclusive summit in Alaska, reflects his continued confidence in his ability to facilitate a resolution between Russia and Ukraine. Despite the disparity between the Israel-Hamas case and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump remains optimistic about his prospects for negotiating peace.
