Staff Reports
Donald Trump is dispatching his top foreign policy team to Saudi Arabia, a bold move to initiate discussions aimed at potentially ending the war in Ukraine. This conflict, which heat up dramatically within the first year of Biden’s presidency, may be nearing a resolution just as Trump gears up for his second term. The prospect of negotiations was utterly unattainable under the current administration, comprised of Biden and his sidekick, Vice President Kamala Harris. But with Trump’s return to the forefront, hope seems to flicker like a barely-lit candle in a dark room.
Leading the charge for this critical mission are Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Their choice of venue might also hint at an added agenda, as talks in Saudi Arabia could facilitate progress on a separate Middle East deal as well. Rubio makes an initial pit stop in Jerusalem before heading to meet with Russian officials, combining diplomacy with the ingenuity of a well-organized travel itinerary. It’s an important maneuver, one that shows a commitment to working alongside allies.
So many are already dooming before negotiations have even started. Nothing has been agreed to yet!
Trump's actions yesterday have two clear benefits to Ukraine.
1) Putin will seem even crazier when he rejects the deal.
2) It unites Europe for Ukraine's defense. https://t.co/I1ke3Nfbq3— Katherine (@KateTheLiberal) February 13, 2025
Of course, the Europeans are throwing a tantrum at being left out of the negotiations, but honestly, one has to ask what they would bring to the table, considering their role in laying the groundwork for Putin’s invasion. Many European leaders, particularly in Germany, not only allowed Russia’s oil dependency to flourish but also managed to cozy up to Moscow with little regard for the consequences. It’s hard to imagine why anyone would want these politicians involved in a discussion about claiming back Ukrainian sovereignty when their track record shows otherwise.
Ukraine has endured catastrophic losses, shouldering the weight of a conflict exacerbated by the strategy of the Biden administration, which often appeared more interested in dragging Russia down than in negotiating an end to hostilities. Western arms were showered on Ukraine like confetti, with little thought given to securing a peace agreement. Instead of capitalizing on moments of Ukrainian strength, Biden and his crew simply let opportunities slip away — yet are perfectly fine with the grim body count that has risen in the meantime.
In contrast, Trump seems to be at least attempting to figure out how to end the bloodshed. The leadership in Ukraine has identified a potential bargaining chip with Trump concerning access to valuable rare earth minerals. Trump’s interest in these resources could be a game changer, providing the U.S. with stakes that also effectively deny Russia, Europe, and China access. Trump is also pushing the Europeans to open their wallets to bolster military support for Ukraine, as the call for action becomes clear: it’s time to put talk aside and show real commitment to defending both Ukraine and NATO.
This time around, it appears that Team Trump is angling for a deal with a framework that factors in European accountability, while also upping America’s financial interest in the outcome. The Biden administration has dangled the prospect of endless warfare, seemingly indifferent to the idea of negotiating a settlement that could spare Ukrainian lives. If Trump fails to secure a deal, the conflict may continue, and support for it might dwindle not just in the U.S., but across Europe as well. The window of opportunity to devise a reasonable end to the conflict is rapidly closing, as Ukraine stands at a critical juncture. If a resolution isn’t reached soon, the question remains: what will be left of Ukraine, and who will be there to inhabit it?
