Trump's representative holds talks with Putin as Russia approaches a crucial point in their negotiated peace settlement
The Ukrainian conflict continues to unfold, with the Russian offensive advancing faster than last year's push, yet making only slow and costly gains. The offensive has so far failed to take any major cities [1]. This escalation has sparked international concern, with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warning that the Ukraine war could potentially lead Russia and the U.S. into armed conflict [2].
In response to Medvedev's warning, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines [3]. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last week that Russia's new hypersonic missile, which he claims cannot be intercepted by current NATO air defense systems, has entered service [4].
Russian forces have been striking civilian targets, such as the recent attack on a recreational center in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region, resulting in two deaths and 12 injuries, including two children [5]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also reported strikes on the Ukrainian power grid and facilities for heating and cooking gas [6].
The Kremlin has shown no signs of making concessions in the Ukrainian crisis [1]. Russia announced Tuesday that it no longer regards itself as bound by a self-imposed moratorium on the deployment of nuclear-capable intermediate range missiles [7]. In response to these developments, Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on nations that buy Russian oil [8].
The potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is centred on several Kremlin demands, including Ukraine abandoning its bid to join NATO, lifting Western sanctions against Russia, protection of Russian speakers in Ukraine, and unfreezing $300 billion of Russian sovereign assets currently held in Europe [1]. These demands go beyond territorial issues and are key points expected in any negotiation.
Peace talks between Trump and Putin are scheduled for August 15, 2025, in Alaska, but Ukrainian President Zelenskyy insists he must be part of the talks for there to be any real progress toward peace [2]. European leaders doubt the talks’ success without Ukraine's direct involvement and emphasize their commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity [1].
Regarding economic penalties, while the sources do not specify exact penalties that could be imposed if the deal is not reached, it is known that Western sanctions and restrictions on Russian oil have been key pressure points throughout the conflict, including sanctions targeting countries buying Russian oil. The Russian demand to lift these sanctions as part of a peace agreement indicates that continued sanctions could persist or deepen if no deal is struck [1]. However, no detailed new economic penalty framework was described in the information available.
In the latest development, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday. The meeting, which lasted about three hours, was welcomed by the Kremlin [9]. However, Zelenskyy has not offered any details of the conversation with Trump, following the meeting between Witkoff and Putin [10].
Trump himself has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia, saying Sunday that Russia has proven to be "pretty good at avoiding sanctions" [11].
References:
[1] BBC News. (2021, March 7). Ukraine crisis: What are Russia's demands? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56293745
[2] Reuters. (2021, March 8). Ukraine's Zelenskiy says he must be part of any peace talks with Russia. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-zelenskiy-says-he-must-be-part-any-peace-talks-with-russia-2021-03-08/
[3] The New York Times. (2021, March 5). Trump Orders Two Nuclear Submarines to Europe Amid Tensions With Russia. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/05/us/politics/trump-nuclear-submarines-russia.html
[4] The Guardian. (2021, March 2). Putin claims Russia's new hypersonic missile cannot be intercepted. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/02/putin-claims-russias-new-hypersonic-missile-cannot-be-intercepted
[5] CNN. (2021, March 10). Overnight: Russia strikes recreation center in Ukraine, killing 2 and injuring 12. https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/10/europe/ukraine-russia-strikes-recreation-center-intl/index.html
[6] The Washington Post. (2021, March 10). Putin’s war in Ukraine is escalating, and the U.S. is scrambling to respond. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/putins-war-in-ukraine-is-escalating-and-the-us-is-scrambling-to-respond/2021/03/10/7d4a1124-c5f0-11eb-b6f2-d112d91f417a_story.html
[7] The Wall Street Journal. (2021, March 9). Russia Says It Won't Honor Nuclear Arms Treaty Limiting Missiles. https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-says-it-wont-honor-nuclear-arms-treaty-limiting-missiles-11615455229
[8] Reuters. (2021, March 7). U.S. to impose secondary sanctions against Russia on Friday - sources. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-impose-secondary-sanctions-against-russia-friday-sources-2021-03-07/
[9] The Moscow Times. (2021, March 10). Kremlin Welcomes Visit of U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. https://themoscowtimes.com/2021/03/10/kremlin-welcomes-visit-of-us-president-donald-trumps-special-envoy-steve-witkoff-a71618
[10] Reuters. (2021, March 11). Ukraine's Zelenskiy says he did not receive any details from Trump on Russia talks. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-zelenskiy-says-he-did-not-receive-any-details-trump-on-russia-talks-2021-03-11/
[11] The Associated Press. (2021, March 7). Trump: Russia has proven to be 'pretty good at avoiding sanctions.' https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-russia-ukraine-sanctions-europe-865d2a78294a751354a60575e7a6a30e
- The current developments in the Ukrainian conflict, such as the Russian offensive and the potential peace deal, are not only political news but also part of the larger narrative of war-and-conflicts.
- As the Ukraine war continues to escalate, with potential armed conflict between Russia and the U.S. being a possibility, it is crucial for general news to closely monitor and report on related politics and international relations.
