Trump Suggests Ukraine ‘May Be Russian Someday’
By DAYO ADESULU with Agency Report
Push for Peace Deal Intensifies Amid Rising Tensions
Washington, D.C. – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has floated the idea that Ukraine “may be Russian someday” as his administration moves forward with efforts to broker an end to the nearly three-year war with Russia. His comments come as Vice President JD Vance prepares to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later this week at the Munich Security Conference.
Trump Discusses War, U.S. Aid, and Rare Earth Trade
In an interview aired Monday with Fox News, Trump discussed the conflict, saying,
“They may make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday.”
He also emphasized economic returns on U.S. aid to Ukraine, suggesting a trade for Kyiv’s valuable rare minerals.
“We are going to have all this money in there, and I say I want it back… I told them that I want the equivalent, like $500 billion worth of rare earth,” Trump stated.
He added that Ukrainian officials have “essentially agreed” to such an arrangement.
Trump Sending Special Envoy to Ukraine
Trump confirmed that his special envoy, Keith Kellogg, will soon travel to Ukraine to develop a peace proposal aimed at ending hostilities. According to sources in Zelensky’s office, Kellogg is expected to arrive in Ukraine on February 20, just days before the three-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion on February 24.
Zelensky Seeks Security Guarantees from U.S.
While Trump is pushing for a swift end to the war, Zelensky is demanding strong security guarantees from Washington as part of any peace settlement with Moscow. Kyiv fears that a weak agreement without NATO membership or the deployment of peacekeeping troops will only allow Russia time to regroup for future attacks.
“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. All of this is being decided now,” Zelensky said in a video address.
Trump-Putin Communication Raises Questions
A recent New York Post report claimed that Trump had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war, with Putin allegedly telling him he “wants to see people stop dying.” However, the Kremlin has neither confirmed nor denied the conversation.
Meanwhile, Russia continues military advances in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region and has intensified its bombing campaign on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leading Kyiv to impose emergency power supply restrictions.
Munich Security Conference: Key Talks Ahead
The upcoming Munich Security Conference, running from February 14-16, is expected to be a crucial diplomatic stage. Alongside Vice President Vance, the U.S. delegation will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Keith Kellogg, while no Russian government representatives will be present.
Zelensky has confirmed that a meeting with Trump is in the works, though no date has been set. Trump, however, ruled out personally traveling to Kyiv, stating he would “probably” meet Zelensky in the coming days.
