WASHINGTON/PARIS, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The President of the United States has pledged a swift resolution to the issue at hand; however, talks set to commence may have been complicated by actions taken by the author of "The Art of the Deal," potentially undermining negotiation leverage.
President Trump, who assumed office on January 20, engaged separately on Wednesday with the Russian President and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, urging U.S. officials to initiate discussions aimed at ending the nearly three-year-long conflict.
These telephone conversations followed Trump's address to Ukraine's military allies in Brussels, where he expressed the view that a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders, prior to Russia's annexation of Crimea, was impractical. Additionally, Trump clarified that U.S. involvement in any future security arrangements in Ukraine was not on the table.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, during President Obama's administration, questioned the strategy of the Trump administration concerning negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, pointing out that concessions made before talks could weaken the U.S. position.
President Trump later reassured reporters that the U.S. remains in support of Ukraine. Notably, statements by Trump and his officials caused concern among European allies, with some perceiving a shift in U.S. commitments to Ukraine. Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis described the situation as potentially "abandoning Ukraine."
While some experts viewed Trump's actions as a "concession to reality," emphasizing that ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine could be a step towards achieving a feasible settlement, others cautioned against a premature agreement that could set a risky precedent.
The geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, with Trump exploring the potential for a minerals deal with Ukraine. This initiative, seen as a post-war "security shield" by some, could provide a new framework for U.S.-Ukraine cooperation.
Acknowledging concerns about potential concessions to Russia, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst welcomed the prospect of leveraging American weapons for Ukrainian minerals, signaling a positive shift in U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
However, this approach, which includes seeking concessions from Ukraine in exchange for American aid, received mixed reactions. British lawmaker James Cleverly cautioned against signaling that aggression and invasion yield benefits in negotiations, emphasizing the need to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.