WASHINGTON – As former President Donald Trump prepares for a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a complex diplomatic landscape unfolds, with Ukraine continuing to press for robust US assistance and expressing hope that Trump’s actions will compel Putin to halt his aggression. The planned meeting, details of which remain largely undisclosed, has sparked both anticipation and concern among US lawmakers.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, speaking on Sunday, underscored the international legal position regarding Russia‘s occupation of Ukrainian territory, stating it is indeed “not acceptable in a legal sense.” However, Rutte acknowledged the necessity of addressing the “factual situation” of Russian control, suggesting potential negotiation avenues regarding the occupied regions. This statement reflects a growing,albeit delicate,conversation about acknowledging realities on the ground while maintaining a firm stance against legitimizing Russia’s actions.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States,Oksana Markarova,in a Sunday appearance on “Face the Nation,” publicly appealed for Trump’s influence to de-escalate the conflict. Markarova stated, “All Ukraine prays for President Trump to be effective and to have great results,” and expressed optimism that Trump’s pressure, coupled with existing and potential secondary sanctions targeting entities supporting russia – including companies in China, Turkey, and the United Arab emirates – woudl persuade Putin to end the invasion. The ambassador specifically referenced the potential for sanctions under Section 231 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) targeting those facilitating significant transactions with Russia’s defense or intelligence sectors.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains open to future diplomatic engagements, Markarova confirmed, but she downplayed concerns about the US-Russia meeting being limited to the two leaders, stating, “sometimes diplomacy requires diffrent formats.” This suggests Ukraine understands the need for direct communication channels, even if excluded from initial talks.
However, the planned meeting has drawn criticism from some members of Congress. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), also appearing on “Face the Nation,” voiced skepticism, stating, “I hope we got something out of this,” and arguing the governance “should have extracted something for this visit.” Kelly emphatically labeled Putin a “war criminal” and questioned the strategic value of allowing putin to travel to the United States for negotiations, suggesting it projects weakness rather than strength.He specifically referenced the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Putin issued in March 2023, related to alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
The potential meeting between Trump and Putin comes as the conflict in Ukraine enters its third year, with ongoing fighting concentrated in eastern Ukraine, notably around the cities of Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Chasiv Yar. The US has provided over $60 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since February 2022, including HIMARS rocket systems, Patriot missile defense systems, and substantial amounts of ammunition and equipment. The current aid package is facing political hurdles in Congress, with debates over continued funding and the conditions attached to it.
Jennifer Jacobs contributed to this report.
