U.S. President Donald Trump has long positioned himself as a potential peacemaker in the volatile Ukraine conflict. Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump reiterated his commitment to ending the ongoing hostilities, a stance that has caused significant unease among U.S. allies in Europe and various establishment figures within the United States. Many of these leaders had preferred to see the conflict continue until Russia was decisively \"defeated.\"
If the U.S. were to abandon its war effort in Ukraine under a Trump administration, maintaining momentum would be challenging, even with continued support from European nations. However, Trump's determination to not only end the conflict but also establish lasting peace in the region sets him apart from his predecessors.
Recent diplomatic moves, including a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by a high-profile meeting between top U.S. and Russian officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have ignited a firestorm in European capitals. The unexpected approach has left many European leaders scrambling to reassess their strategies regarding the Ukraine situation.
In response to these developments, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting of EU nations in Paris on February 17 to deliberate on the best path forward. Despite the urgency, the meeting did not yield a consensus. Nevertheless, many European leaders are now prepared to align more closely with the U.S. in pursuing a negotiated solution to the conflict, signaling a potential shift in international diplomacy.
Reference(s):
Will Trump succeed in making his legacy that of a peacemaker?
cgtn.com
