Thu Feb 13 06:01:48 UTC 2025: **Trump and Putin to Meet for Ukraine Peace Talks; Zelenskyy Involved, but Concerns Remain**
**Munich, Germany —** In a dramatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss peace in Ukraine. This follows a nearly hour-and-a-half phone call between the two leaders—their first confirmed contact since Trump’s return to the White House—during which Putin reportedly invited Trump to Moscow. The surprise announcement has sparked concerns in Kyiv and among European allies.
While Trump insists Ukraine will not be excluded from the peace process and claims President Zelenskyy supports the talks, he also stated that Ukraine’s NATO aspirations are “not practical”—a key Russian demand. This statement, coupled with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s assertion that Ukraine’s pre-2014 border restoration is an “illusionary goal,” fuels anxieties that the U.S. is conceding to Russian terms.
Adding another layer of complexity, China has proposed hosting a summit between Trump and Putin to facilitate peace efforts. This follows recent, behind-the-scenes discussions between Chinese and U.S. officials. Despite repeated Western calls for China to leverage its relationship with Russia, Beijing maintains it is not a party to the conflict but is promoting peace talks.
President Zelenskyy confirmed a subsequent call with Trump, stating he shared details of his own discussions with Putin. Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, announced the formation of high-level teams from both Ukraine and the U.S. to work towards a deal, with initial meetings scheduled at the Munich Security Conference. However, Yermak reiterated Ukraine’s unwavering stance on its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Zelenskyy is reportedly seeking strong security guarantees from Washington. Trump has reportedly suggested a deal involving Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for continued military aid.
The Kremlin, while confirming the call and Putin’s desire for peace negotiations, emphasized addressing the conflict’s root causes, blaming Western influence on Kyiv. The thaw in relations follows a recent prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia, brokered, in part, by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
European leaders, including the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Spain, stressed the necessity of Ukrainian involvement in any lasting peace agreement. Despite Trump’s denials, concerns remain about the potential for a deal that undermines Ukraine’s interests. President Zelenskyy will meet with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
First Piper 