Ukraine's first vice prime minister has signaled that Kyiv would be open to engaging in peace negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine expects the Trump administration to be involved in possible peace talks with Russia, Yulia Svyrydenko told Polish radio station RMF FM in Davos in an interview published on Wednesday.
Newsweek has contacted the foreign ministries of Ukraine and Russia for comment by email.
Why It Matters
Trump has pledged to bring an end to the grinding war in Ukraine, which enters its fourth year next month, and the world is watching to see whether he will be able to deliver on his key election promise. He has said repeatedly that he would be able to bring a swift end to the war in Ukraine by speaking with Putin, but he has already extended a timeline for when this could happen—from 24 hours, to now 100 days.
What To Know
Svyrydenko told the radio station that Ukraine hopes the war will come to an end this year. Kyiv's priority is to negotiate strong security guarantees that will allow the nation to return to some semblance of normality.
Peace talks are possible but "it depends on when it happens," she said. Ukraine should first strengthen its defense capabilities, and become stronger economically.
Trump also directed an angry message to his Russian counterpart in a post on his Truth Social account on Wednesday, urging him to "settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War!"
Trump has suggested that both Russia and Ukraine must make concessions in the war. Kyiv has rejected any suggestions of ceding territory to Moscow, while Putin has demanded that Ukraine give up its aspirations of joining the NATO military alliance.
What People Are Saying
Ukraine's first vice prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, told RMF FM: "We hope that the war will end this year. Our priority is not only to achieve peace. It is also to negotiate strong security guarantees that will help Ukraine return to normal life.
"On the one hand, it is possible, but it depends on when it happens. Negotiations can take place when Ukraine is strong enough, and to be strong, we need to increase our defense production. But we also need to be a strong country in economic terms, because a weak Ukraine will not be able to negotiate a satisfactory peace agreement.
"We expect the Donald Trump administration to be involved in the peace negotiations , and I think they will end with the success of the new U.S. president."
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a message to Donald Trump on Monday: "We are open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration on the Ukrainian conflict. Its goal should not be a short truce, not some kind of respite for regrouping forces and rearmament with the aim of subsequently continuing the conflict, but a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people, all nations that live in this region."
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social on Wednesday: "I'm not looking to hurt Russia. I love the Russian people, and always had a very good relationship with President Putin—and this despite the Radical Left's Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX. We must never forget that Russia helped us win the Second World War, losing almost 60,000,000 lives in the process. All of that being said, I'm going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR.
"Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. If we don't make a 'deal,' and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries. Let's get this war, which never would have started if I were President, over with! We can do it the easy way, or the hard way—and the easy way is always better. It's time to 'MAKE A DEAL.' NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!"
What Happens Next
Trump is expected to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Putin soon.
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