The hands of the Russia-Ukraine war clock have ticked past 1,000 days. President Donald Trump is determined to end the conflict and stop the carnage. The Biden administration and Ukraine's European neighbors were helpless in bringing the Russian invaders and their victims in Ukraine to the negotiating table for meaningful discussions, and Trump has potentially done that with two phone calls.
Following Trump's Feb. 12 conversations, one with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the other with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, the stage was set for substantive talks aimed at ending three years of misery that began with the Kremlin’s unprovoked invasion Feb. 24, 2022.
Peace Talks Begin
The peace talks began on Feb. 18 in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh at the Diriyah Palace. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff represented the United States. They were joined by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the perennial face of the Kremlin's foreign policy team, and Aide to the President Yuri Ushakov.
A US State Department readout explained that "President Trump wants to stop the killing; the United States wants peace and is using its strength in the world to bring countries together." The statement continued with the observation that Trump "is the only leader in the world who can get Ukraine and Russia to agree" to a peace pact. Regardless of who is at fault for the aggression, neither of the two belligerents trusts the other. Buildling trust between Washington and Moscow will be a steep hill to climb, so it makes sense to take on this challenge first.
To that end, the talks resulted in four trust-building steps. The US negotiators announced that they had decided to:
"Establish a consultation mechanism to address irritants to our bilateral relationship with the objective of taking steps necessary to normalize the operation of our respective diplomatic missions.
"Appoint respective high-level teams to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible in a way that is enduring, sustainable, and acceptable to all sides.
"Lay the groundwork for future cooperation on matters of mutual geopolitical interest and historic economic and investment opportunities which will emerge from a successful end to the conflict in Ukraine.
"[P]ledge to remain engaged to make sure the process moves forward in a timely and productive manner."
The State Department was clear in setting appropriate expectations for any rapid, permanent end to the destruction and bloodshed in Ukraine. "One phone call followed by one meeting is not sufficient to establish enduring peace. We must take action, and today, we took an important step forward."
Soon after the meeting concluded, the US contingent met with journalists from CNN News and the Associated Press. A question posed was about how the Ukrainians and Europeans "feel" shut out of the peace process as it has unfolded. In response, Rubio offered a dose of reality absent from the previous administration's relationship with the Kyiv government and European leaders: "Well, the comment I would have on that is that for three and a half years while this conflict has raged … no one else has been able to bring something together like what we saw today because Donald Trump is the only leader in the world that can. So, no one is being sidelined here."
Ukraine and Europeans Worried About Being Left Out
To assuage the fears of the Europeans and Ukraine that they are not represented, Waltz offered, "Look, it's common sense. If you're going to bring both sides together, you have to talk to both sides." However, for the first meeting to establish confidence, having diplomats by the score, all pushing their country's particular agenda, would have been a waste of time. Furthermore, candid and transparent, “Rubio said a negotiation process had not begun in earnest, and if talks advanced, the Ukrainians and other Europeans would be brought in the fold," Reuters reported.
A key player with the most skin in the game is not convinced. RealClearPolitics quoted Zelensky in a Meet the Press interview about assurances that Ukraine's position would be protected. He declared, "So, I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine. Never. And our people, never." His passion is understandable -- the Ukrainians have lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers and citizens to a brutal Russian war machine. Nonetheless, never say never.
When it comes to bringing peace to Ukraine, if not the United States, who? If not now, when? The previous administration and European leaders presided over a protracted conflict with no end in sight. It's time for something different.
The views expressed are those of the author and not of any other affiliate.
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