Russia-Ukraine War: President Trump’s Influence on Negotiations

“That is a war that’s dying to be settled. I will get it settled before I even become president.” - Donald Trump, during a September 2024 presidential debateUS President-elect Donald Trump has for two years loudly and boldly proclaimed that the Russia-Ukraine war needs to end, and that he is uniquely qualified to quickly bring that about.  This episode explores the challenges Mr. Trump will face in his efforts to bring about a deal that is satisfactory enough for both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.  By far the most important aspect in armistice negotiations between warring parties is the current military situation, the “realities on the ground” to use a commonly used phrase.  That will be the focus on this episode.  We will also look into potential options for the incoming US President might explore as he attempts to navigate a situation that even has recently indicated was more difficult than the Middle East.  Either way, we will soon learn just how influential Mr. Trump’s reputation as a strong-minded figure who is nevertheless willing to broker deals will be on a Russia-Ukraine War that is nearing its third year.