Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated a potential willingness to sit down with former U.S. President Donald Trump to

Trump has consistently emphasized his desire for peace, stating, “I want to keep the world at peace, I don’t want war, I want peace.” During his election campaign, Trump promised that, if elected, he would end the war within 24 hours, a bold claim that has drawn attention to his diplomatic intentions.

According to several sources, including Sky News and other media outlets citing former and current Russian officials, Putin is open to engaging in talks with Trump, but with certain conditions. The Russian president has made it clear that he will not agree to relinquish the Ukrainian territories that Russia has seized, and he insists that Ukraine must not be allowed to join NATO. These two demands are seen as non-negotiable for Putin, reflecting Russia’s strategic priorities in the conflict.

The reports suggest that Putin could consider halting the ongoing military offensive in Ukraine if Trump facilitates a peace deal that acknowledges Russia’s territorial claims in Ukraine. Specifically, Russia has declared the four regions it has occupied—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—as part of its territory, despite international condemnation. Russian officials are reportedly open to withdrawing troops from these regions under a potential agreement brokered by Trump, which would likely include terms regarding Ukraine's neutrality and NATO membership.

In contrast, President Joe Biden's administration has taken a different approach, significantly altering the dynamics of the war by approving the provision of long-range missiles to Ukraine. This move has been seen as a game-changer, allowing Ukraine to target Russian positions more effectively and complicating peace negotiations. As a result, Putin has signaled that if a deal is not reached, Russia is prepared to continue the war indefinitely, which would further escalate the situation.

However, five Russian officials mentioned in the reports have emphasized that the West must face the "harsh truth" regarding Ukraine's future. Despite Western nations' unwavering support for Ukraine, they suggest that it is unlikely that Ukraine can defeat Russia on the battlefield, even with continued external assistance.

This situation presents a complex and delicate diplomatic challenge, with Trump positioning himself as a potential mediator who could alter the trajectory of the conflict. The outcome of these potential negotiations could reshape not only the future of Ukraine but also global geopolitical relations, depending on the willingness of both sides to make concessions and compromise on critical issues.