Trump and Putin
By Ab Susan
The article reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, returned from a recent Moscow visit convinced that Russian President Vladimir Putin “would like to end the war” in Ukraine. Trump described the talks as “very good,” suggesting a degree of optimism about a possible negotiated settlement.
According to the piece, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, Yuri Ushakov, tempered that optimism, stating that no concrete breakthrough had been achieved and that key issues—particularly the status of Ukrainian territories—remain unresolved. This indicates a gap between the perception of the U.S. team and the reality on the ground in Moscow.
The report notes that the United States is pushing a 28‑point peace framework, which it hopes could serve as a basis for negotiations. European officials, however, have warned that the plan leans heavily toward Russia’s demands, raising concerns about its fairness and feasibility.
Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to find a way out of the conflict, which has dragged on for several years. The former president’s comments are being interpreted as an attempt to position himself as a potential mediator, despite not holding any official role.
The article also highlights the broader context of international pressure on Russia to de‑escalate, with sanctions still in place and Ukraine continuing its military operations. At the same time, Moscow maintains its stance that any settlement must respect its security concerns.
Overall, the piece paints a picture of cautious optimism mixed with lingering skepticism, underscoring the complexity of achieving peace in a war that has deep geopolitical ramifications.
