Department of Research, Studies and International News 11-02-2025

In a recent interview, former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine’s future remains uncertain, stating that the country “may be Russian someday” while discussing potential resolutions to the ongoing conflict with Russia. His remarks come just as his vice-presidential running mate, J.D. Vance, prepares for a key meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later this week.

Trump’s Perspective on U.S. Aid to Ukraine

Beyond the war itself, Trump expressed his belief that the United States should receive something in return for the billions of dollars in military and financial assistance provided to Ukraine. He specifically pointed to Ukraine’s natural resources, such as rare earth minerals, as a possible form of repayment.

“We are going to have all this money in there, and I say I want it back,” Trump stated. “And I told them that I want the equivalent, like $500 billion worth of rare earth. And they have essentially agreed to do that, so at least we don’t feel stupid.”

In addition to Vance’s upcoming meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump confirmed that his special envoy, Keith Kellogg, will soon travel to Ukraine to develop a plan aimed at ending the conflict. Kellogg, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and former national security official, has been tasked with crafting a peace proposal that could serve as the foundation for future negotiations.

While Trump has repeatedly pledged to end the war quickly if re-elected, he has yet to present a detailed plan on how he would bring both sides to the table. His stance contrasts with Zelenskyy’s insistence on strong security guarantees from Washington before considering any form of settlement with Russia.

Kyiv’s Concerns Over Security Guarantees

Ukraine remains wary of any peace deal that does not include binding military commitments from the United States and its allies. Zelenskyy has consistently pushed for NATO membership or, at the very least, the deployment of international peacekeeping forces to ensure the country’s long-term security.

The Ukrainian government fears that a rushed agreement lacking solid security assurances would merely allow Russia time to regroup and launch further offensives in the future. Despite these concerns, Kyiv remains open to diplomatic solutions that could help end the war while preserving its territorial integrity.

Zelenskyy’s spokesperson, Sergiy Nikiforov, confirmed to Agence France-Presse that the Ukrainian leader will meet with Vance this Friday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Additionally, a source from Zelenskyy’s office revealed that Kellogg is scheduled to arrive in Ukraine on February 20, just days before the three-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.

Zelenskyy’s Call for Sustainable Peace

In a public statement on Monday, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s need for lasting peace and robust security guarantees.

“Security of people, security of our state, security of economic relations, and, of course, our resource sustainability, not only for Ukraine but for the entire free world,” Zelenskyy said in a video address shared on social media.

“All of this is being decided now,” he added, emphasizing the urgency of securing a resolution that benefits not just Ukraine but the broader international community.

Despite Trump’s assertions that he could swiftly end the war, a diplomatic breakthrough remains highly complex. Neither Zelenskyy nor Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to engage in direct negotiations.

Putin has consistently demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the territories still under Kyiv’s control in the south and east, while also rejecting Ukraine’s closer ties with NATO. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has firmly opposed any territorial concessions to Russia, though he has acknowledged that diplomacy may play a role in regaining lost territory.

Russia claims to have annexed five Ukrainian regions, Crimea in 2014, followed by Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia in 2022, despite not having full military control over them. The ongoing conflict and shifting battle lines make a clear-cut resolution increasingly difficult to achieve.

Trump’s Communications with Putin

Adding another layer of intrigue to the situation, reports have surfaced that Trump recently spoke with Putin regarding the war. The New York Post reported on Saturday that Trump claimed to have had a phone conversation with the Russian leader, during which Putin allegedly expressed a desire to “see people stop dying.”

However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm or deny the conversation, leaving the details of their discussion unclear.