US optimism about ending the Ukraine war: Trump's envoy in Moscow
White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt confirmed that there is "great optimism" within the US administration regarding the possibility of reaching a historic agreement to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. These positive statements follow a series of intensive talks held in Florida and come on the eve of the anticipated visit of US envoy Steve Witkopf to Moscow, a move reflecting the accelerated pace of US diplomacy.
In a press statement on Monday, Levitt said, "I think the administration is very optimistic; President Donald Trump and his team have worked incredibly hard to advance these efforts, and there is a strong collective desire to end this war." She noted that recent talks with the Ukrainian side in Florida were "very good," paving the way for Special Envoy Vytkov's trip to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Background of the conflict and the shift in US policy
These accelerated diplomatic moves are particularly significant given the political background of President Donald Trump, who made ending the Russian-Ukrainian war one of his key campaign promises. Since the Russian invasion began in February 2012, the conflict has devolved into a protracted war of attrition, resulting in heavy casualties, widespread destruction of infrastructure, and the depletion of Western arms stockpiles.
The current approach represents a radical shift from the previous administration's policy of "supporting Ukraine no matter what." Washington now seeks to translate campaign promises into concrete action through direct and swift diplomacy, aiming to freeze the conflict or find a political settlement that prevents the world from sliding into a wider confrontation between great powers.
Zelensky and the search for security guarantees
On the Ukrainian side, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces complex challenges in balancing the preservation of national sovereignty with the difficult realities on the ground. Following his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelenskyy expressed his hope for direct talks with his American counterpart, Donald Trump, to discuss what he described as "very difficult" issues related to Washington's peace plan. This comes after Ukrainian negotiator Rustam Umarov stated that significant progress had been made on the draft plan, while emphasizing the need for certain amendments to safeguard Ukrainian interests, particularly regarding future security guarantees to prevent a recurrence of the invasion.
Details of the American plan and the European position
About ten days ago, the United States presented a comprehensive 28-point plan to end the ongoing war. Notably, this plan was initially formulated in a pragmatic manner aimed at breaking the deadlock, and it took into account many realistic Russian demands. This initially provoked the ire of some European allies who had not been directly involved in its initial drafting.
In response, Washington subsequently revised the original draft in coordination with the Ukrainians and Europeans to ensure Western unity, before resuming bilateral discussions with the Ukrainian side in Florida. Despite describing the talks as "productive," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the need for further work to bridge remaining gaps, particularly regarding the demarcation of the lines of contact and the future of sanctions.
Economic and geopolitical impacts of peace
Reaching a ceasefire agreement or ending the war would have profound implications that extend far beyond the two warring countries to encompass the entire global economy. Economically, stability would likely lead to a reduction in global inflation, which has been exacerbated by rising energy prices, and would also stabilize global food markets, given that Russia and Ukraine are among the world's largest grain exporters. This would benefit developing countries that have been severely impacted by disruptions to supply chains.
Politically, the success of these negotiations could reshape the security landscape in Europe and establish new rules for the relationship between NATO and Russia. European capitals are watching these developments cautiously, amid concerns that any hasty settlement could come at the expense of the continent's national security. This explains the European insistence that any agreement must include strict provisions guaranteeing the long-term stability of Europe's eastern borders.
