MOSCOW — The Trump administration has declared that Ukraine’s accession to NATO is “impractical” and the reintegration of Russian-held territories is “illusionary,” signaling a notable shift that aligns with some of President Vladimir Putin’s key priorities even before any finalized resolution to the ongoing conflict.
A swift and dramatic policy change has unfolded between the United States and Russia following a phone call between President Donald Trump and Putin, effectively halting a three-year campaign by the U.S. to isolate Russia’s leader concerning the Ukraine situation.
In this recent dialogue, the two leaders did not limit their discussion to the fighting in Ukraine; they also touched upon various global issues including the Middle East, the status of the dollar, global energy markets, and even advancements in artificial intelligence.
This expansive agenda aligns with Putin’s long-held desire to have Russia and the U.S. address global matters collectively while sidelining other nations. It’s uncertain how potential peace discussions regarding Ukraine might unfold, but this call represents a pivotal moment, signaling the thawing of relations between Moscow and Washington.
Since sending troops into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, amid Kyiv’s aspirations to join NATO, which Putin publicly labeled a “red line,” the Russian leader has portrayed NATO’s eastward expansion as a profound threat to Russia. He sought assurances from NATO that Ukraine would never be granted membership.
Although Putin anticipated a swift military victory, his plans were hampered by a fierce Ukrainian resistance and an influx of Western military aid. The prolonged conflict has resulted in significant casualties for both sides, evolving into Europe’s most substantial military engagement since World War II.
Following early struggles, Russia managed to reassert its combat capabilities, executing a series of offensives that led to gradual territorial gains along the extensive front, ultimately seizing control of around one-fifth of Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula, annexed in 2014.
Putin has laid out demands for Ukraine, including the withdrawal of its troops from territories currently under Russian control, the cessation of its NATO membership aspirations, and the protection of Russian-speaking citizens in those regions. He and his allies have reiterated these conditions recently, showcasing Moscow’s unwavering stance.
In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Russia’s terms. However, the challenging realities on the battlefield, combined with Trump’s recent comments, may create a situation where Ukraine could face difficult compromises in future negotiations.
Trump characterized his talk with Putin as “lengthy and highly productive,” expressing gratitude for Putin’s commitment to ending hostilities while sidestepping the issue of Russia’s invasion. Following the call, he mentioned a conversation with Zelenskyy but was vague about Ukraine’s potential involvement in future negotiations, hinting at the possibility of a deal crafted without Ukraine’s direct input — a significant departure from the previous administration’s principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
Additionally, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conveyed to Ukraine’s Western allies that Kyiv should not expect to reclaim all territory lost to Russia, nor anticipate NATO membership in the near future. European leaders have shown concern over this sudden shift in U.S. policy, with some expressing disbelief over such significant concessions being put forth even before negotiations have commenced.
Hegseth asserted that NATO should avoid involvement in any peacekeeping missions in Ukraine, emphasizing that peacekeeping troops would not be afforded the same protections outlined in NATO’s foundational treaty, which obligates member nations to defend one another.
“In the current situation, it looks like the U.S. and Russia are the ones dictating terms regarding a cessation of hostilities, with Kyiv and European leaders relegated to the background,” remarked Alexander Gabuev, a director at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.
In response to this call between Trump and Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov critiqued the apparent astonishment within the EU and NATO, suggesting that the reaction signifies a lack of diplomacy among Western leaders.
In this context, Trump took to social media to emphasize their shared history, notably recalling the collaboration of their nations during World War II, an aspect that resonates deeply with Putin’s portrayal of Russian sacrifice during the war—a foundational narrative supporting Russia’s current stance as a global power.
With Trump echoing Putin’s themes surrounding World War II casualties, and with longstanding compliments from Putin directed at Trump, including assertions that he could have mitigated the hostilities in Ukraine if he were in office, the two leaders appear to be forging closer ties.
Conversations about various pressing global issues underline a broader agenda that Putin has long advocated for, signaling a desire to reestablish Russia as a superpower on par with the U.S. Gabuev noted that Trump’s framing of their discussions could be viewed as a tactical victory for Moscow, framing the dialogue within the context of great power relations that extend beyond just the situation in Ukraine.
