U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are gearing up for a major phone call in the coming days or weeks. This update came from Mike Waltz, Trump’s pick for national security adviser, during an ABC News interview on January 12.
Preparations underway for key conversation
Waltz confirmed that preparations for a conversation between the two leaders are already in motion. Trump had hinted at a possible meeting earlier on January 9, confirming talks were underway.
“We’re working on it,” Waltz said. “You can’t make a deal without dialogue.” He emphasized the importance of establishing a relationship with Russia. However, he stopped short of revealing a set date for the planned call.
Will Zelensky be part of the talks?
When asked whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would be included in the talks, Waltz stated the details of the meeting format are still being decided. “The exact framework hasn’t been set yet,” Waltz explained, “but we expect a call soon. After that, we’ll take it step by step.“
Switzerland offers to host a face-to-face meeting
Switzerland has thrown its hat in the ring as a possible venue for a future face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin. Nicolas Bideau, head of communications at the Swiss Foreign Ministry, confirmed Switzerland’s willingness to host the leaders. However, Waltz did not comment on the location of the upcoming phone call or potential future in-person discussions.
Kremlin reacts to Trump’s willingness for dialogue
On January 10, the Kremlin reacted positively to Trump’s willingness to discuss Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. But Moscow made it clear that no official plans for a meeting had been set. They also stated that a direct meeting between Trump and Putin would not happen until after Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Moscow rejects Trump’s peace proposal
The Kremlin’s position comes after rejecting Trump’s team’s peace proposal. The plan, leaked earlier, suggested freezing the front lines, delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership for 20 years, and deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine. These terms were quickly dismissed by Moscow, signaling that tough negotiations lie ahead.
Waltz talks about Ukraine’s ‘manpower issues’
While Waltz didn’t delve into the specifics of the discussions or potential peace plans, he did raise concerns about Ukraine’s “manpower issues.” He suggested that Kyiv could resolve this by lowering the draft age from 26 to 18. “If Ukrainians want the world’s support for democracy, they need to commit fully,” Waltz argued. “They need to address their manpower challenges.”
Full Russian troop withdrawal ‘unrealistic’
Additionally, Waltz dismissed the idea of a full Russian troop withdrawal from Ukraine, including Crimea, as “unrealistic.” This statement suggests that any resolution might be far from a clean slate, with tough compromises expected from both sides.
A new era of U.S.-Russia relations?
The world will be watching closely as Trump and Putin begin their dialogue. While the specifics remain unclear, these initial steps could shape future relations between the two countries, as well as the international stance on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Stay tuned for updates on this high-stakes conversation.
