Ukraine Is Also Part of the Peace Negotiations
Russia's Expulsion from the G8 Was a Mistake
Hopes to Resume Nuclear and Arms Reduction Talks with China and Russia
U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on the 13th (local time) that he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin's willingness to negotiate regarding the end of the Ukraine war.
After signing a mutual tariff memorandum at the White House that day, President Trump responded to reporters' questions about whether he believes Putin's statement that he wants peace in negotiations to end the Ukraine war by saying, "I believe he wants peace."
He added, "If he didn't (want peace), he would have told me," and said, "I trust him on this matter. He wants to see something happen."
President Trump agreed to start negotiations to end the Ukraine war during a phone call with President Putin the previous day and informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of this.
Concerns have arisen within Ukraine and European countries that President Trump might be negotiating with President Putin in a way favorable to Russia, effectively excluding Ukraine. This is because Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has effectively rejected the conditions Ukraine has demanded for peace negotiations. There are suggestions that a peace plan mainly reflecting Russia's demands could be reached.
In response to these concerns, President Trump emphasized that day, "They are also part of it," and "This war has to end."
Regarding Russia's expulsion from the Group of Eight (G8) meetings following its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, President Trump said, "I think excluding them was a mistake," adding, "This is not about liking or disliking Russia. It was the G8. I hope they come back."
President Trump also expressed hope to resume talks with China and Russia on nuclear and arms reduction.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has effectively been excluded from the Ukraine war negotiation table, stated on the same day that he would not accept a peace agreement if the U.S. and Russia conclude it while excluding Ukraine.
According to Reuters and AFP, President Zelensky, while departing to attend the Munich Security Conference (June 14?16), told reporters, "As an independent nation, we will not accept any agreement from which we are excluded." He also emphasized that Europe should participate at the negotiation table when the war ends. This is interpreted as a request to check concerns that if the U.S. and Russia lead the negotiations, they will present peace negotiation guidelines mainly reflecting Russia's demands.
He further stated, "What is important now is to prevent everything from going according to Putin's plan," and claimed, "He (Putin) is trying to solve everything through bilateral negotiations (with the U.S.)."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
