Trump's bold move: A fragile road to Ukraine peace talks

During the speech, Trump said he received an important letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which the Ukrainian leader reflected in a social media post. He claimed Kyiv expressed its readiness to enter into an agreement on mining Ukrainian minerals.

Zelensky reportedly affirmed that Ukraine is prepared to sign the agreement on resources and security anytime. He also expressed that the country is ready for peace and acknowledged the significant support from the United States in preserving its sovereignty and independence, according to Donald Trump. This statement came just hours after the same U.S. president had decided to suspend arms deliveries to Ukraine.

"Wouldn't that be beautiful? It's time to stop this madness. It's time to halt the killing. It's time to end this senseless war," Trump said about Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

During his address to the joint chambers of Congress, U.S. President Donald Trump also mentioned receiving a strong signal from Russia indicating its readiness to make peace. Zelensky went a step further by outlining the initial steps towards a truce. He proposed a prisoner exchange and stopped military actions in the air and at sea. He added that Ukraine is prepared for this, provided "Russia takes similar actions." According to the Ukrainian president, only then "can we talk about a genuine start to the peace process."

According to Col. (ret.) Maciej Matysiak, we are not witnessing a change in the Ukrainian narrative.

"Firstly, there are still no peace negotiations. And they are not on the horizon. Such talks require participation from both sides of the conflict. And in the current situation, Trump wants to handle everything himself and on his terms," says Col. (ret.) Maciej Matysiak, former deputy head of the Military Counterintelligence Service, to WP.

And as he recalls, negotiation initiatives from various countries, including Ukraine, began with a phone call from Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin.

"Since then, the American president has been striving to fulfil his election promise to end the war swiftly. Have there been any new gestures towards negotiations? In my view, no, because Zelensky has already made them. He is prepared, but not under the conditions that Trump wishes to impose on him. He consistently emphasises his readiness to sign a resource agreement or develop negotiation topics. However, he wants to ensure that the U.S. remains anchored on Ukrainian territory to serve as a shield against Putin's actions. He seeks security guarantees from the White House. And that is precisely what Trump does not desire," assesses an expert from the Stratpoints Foundation.

A few hours after the suspension of American arms deliveries, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance adopted a conciliatory tone. Speaking to journalists, he indicated that the United States might consider resuming the supply of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine, provided Kyiv engages in peace negotiations.

BBC News Ukrainian reports that Trump's speech was met with unexpected positivity among Ukrainians. The outlet noted that just a day earlier, there was a sense that his address to Congress might signal unfavorable developments.

"The decision to suspend arms deliveries stems from Friday's argument at the White House. Following an emotional exchange with Zelensky, Trump sought to apply pressure on him. The decision carries disastrous consequences, weakening Ukraine's air defence against long-range Russian attacks, such as cruise missiles and aircraft launching missiles. It impacts the Patriot, NASAMS, and HIMARS systems," states Col. (ret.) Maciej Matysiak.

The former military man does not share Ukrainian optimism regarding Trump's further moves concerning the war in Ukraine.

I doubt that Putin wants peace. After talking with the American administration in Riyadh, the Russian delegation agreed with nothing. The Kremlin and Putin do nothing, sit, and 'wrap candy wrappers'—he ironically ironizes the former deputy head of SKW.

And as he adds, in Trump's speech to Congress, which lasted over 90 minutes, Ukraine took up just 3 minutes.

"Unfortunately, but the American president treats Ukraine as if it were the negative side of the conflict. And he does not approach Russia in such a way. So we have a narrative dissonance. This is because Trump de facto has no arguments towards Russia. His negotiation tactics burned out at the beginning. And this, in turn, testifies to the complete amateurism and weakness of part of the American administration and President Trump regarding the end of the war in Ukraine," emphasises Matysiak.

Mariusz Marszałkowski, an expert from Defence24.pl, a specialist in Eastern security and policy, speaks in a similar tone.

- Russia has proposed nothing so far. And has adopted a tactic of not responding. Putin sits in the Kremlin, watches the situation, and listens to Trump 'boxing with' Zelensky. And 'dresses' the propaganda sauce on it within Russia's narrative around the commotion – says Mariusz Marszałkowski.

According to the expert from Defence24, the Trump administration directly implements Moscow's theses, which were presented in Russian state media.

"This includes the refusal to allow Ukraine into NATO, the issue of withdrawing American troops from Europe, or the discussion on lifting sanctions on Russia. Unfortunately, today we have a team in Washington that fully understands Putin's demands. Meanwhile, Moscow has high hopes for Trump's presidency. And it practically doesn't need to do anything. In the Kremlin, they sit, eat popcorn, and drink champagne – comments Marszałkowski.