(NewsNation) — Donald Trump’s incoming team is holding talks with Ukrainian officials about ending the war with Russia, all in a bid to help resolve the conflict prior to the president-elect taking office.
Several people in Trump’s future administration, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, have met with leaders from Ukraine in Washington and Florida, reported The Wall Street Journal.
Keith Kellogg, Trump’s pick as a special envoy for the conflict, and his soon-to-be national security adviser, Mike Waltz, were also part of the meetings.
Trump has been clear about wanting to end the nearly three-year-long war both while campaigning and after securing the presidential win.
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A key strategy to wind down the war appears to be getting both sides to the negotiating table as quickly as possible, potentially through diplomatic coercion.
This would involve siphoning off aid to Ukraine if they refuse to come to the table, and if Russia refuses, assistance could be ramped up.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with Trump soon after his electoral victory and has said that he would consider effectively ceding some territory to Russia in exchange for NATO protection of parts of the country Ukraine controls.
The issue will be the biggest hurdle in resolving the conflict, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has been adamantly against Ukraine’s inclusion into NATO and has used the possibility to justify the war in Ukraine.
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Trump’s team has not been open to committing to NATO membership for the Ukrainians, which may further complicate negotiations.
Last month, Putin approved budget plans raising 2025 military spending to record levels as Moscow seeks to prevail in the war in Ukraine.
Nuclear fears are also growing after Putin confirmed the use of a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in Ukraine, warning the West that U.S. air defenses would be powerless against it.
