President-Elect Trump Urges Putin to Avoid Escalation in Ukraine in Post-Election Call

By DAYO ADESULU

November 2024, Mar-a-Lago, Florida – Newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in Ukraine during a phone call last Thursday, according to The Washington Post. The conversation took place days after Trump’s victory over Democratic rival Kamala Harris and signals a potential shift in U.S. stance on the nearly three-year-long conflict.

Trump Urges Peace, Signals Potential Shift in U.S. Ukraine Policy

During the call, Trump reminded Putin of America’s robust military presence in Europe and expressed a strong interest in peace talks to address Ukraine’s situation, aiming for a resolution “soon.” Trump’s election could reshape Washington’s support for Kyiv, given his campaign’s focus on ending U.S. funding for the war and expediting a peace deal.

While Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, declined to confirm the details, sources told The Post that Trump’s priority was to emphasize peace rather than confrontation. The call also highlighted Trump’s interest in building dialogue with key European allies, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who reportedly pledged with Trump to “work together towards a return to peace in Europe.”

Ukraine and Allies Express Concern Amid Potential Policy Changes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke with Trump and his influential backer Elon Musk last week, has consistently resisted conceding territory to Russia, a stance supported by European allies such as Britain and France. However, Trump’s call with Putin briefly touched on the sensitive issue of territorial concessions, according to The Post, leaving European allies uncertain about any potential unilateral actions that might impact regional stability.

Biden’s administration, which remains in office until Trump’s inauguration on January 20, is working to maximize Ukraine’s support by sending additional aid, including a planned $6 billion to reinforce Ukraine’s defenses on the battlefield and strengthen its negotiating position.

Kremlin’s Response and Anticipated Diplomatic Shifts

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded positively to the call, stating, “The signals are positive… At least he’s talking about peace, and not about confrontation.” Russia has shown openness to a dialogue-based approach under Trump, who has promised to broker a swift peace deal. However, analysts believe any such deal may require Ukraine to cede territories in the south and east to Russian control, a move that remains contentious.

Key Points to Watch

• Trump’s Focus on Reducing Military Aid: Trump has criticized U.S. financial support for Ukraine, suggesting it supports a “pro-war nexus” of defense companies and foreign policy interests. This approach signals potential reductions in U.S. aid that may impact Ukraine’s war efforts.
• Potential Concessions on Territory: Trump’s former advisor, Bryan Lanza, recently suggested that Ukraine should abandon efforts to reclaim Crimea, adding to concerns about forced territorial concessions.
• Escalation on the Ground: Both Ukraine and Russia have increased offensive actions, with the largest recent drone attacks reported over the weekend, potentially to gain leverage ahead of negotiations.