Trump seeking to end war while ensuring Ukraine can protect its sovereignty – expert

This statement was made by Adrian Karatnycky, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and former president of Freedom House, in an interview with Ukrinform’s correspondent in New York, commenting on Trump’s telephone conversations with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Conversations and connections between America and Russia are intensifying, but it is evident that they are balanced with ties and contacts between the U.S. administration and the Ukrainian side,” Karatnycky said.

According to him, Trump’s phone conversation with Zelensky, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s talks with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov within the framework of the Ramstein meeting, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s visit to Kyiv, and the upcoming visit to Ukraine by a delegation led by U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, as well as the anticipated meeting between Vice President J.D. Vance and President Zelensky during the Munich Security Conference – all of this is part of a balanced policy aimed at finding a way to maintain Ukraine’s democracy and sovereignty and protect it.

However, Karatnycky added, the burden of responsibility will likely fall on the European side.

The expert expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood that all these discussions will result in a long-term ceasefire. He believes that to stimulate Putin, more sanctions against Russia and increased military aid to Ukraine will be necessary.

“In any case, I feel that Trump and his Administration are deliberately seeking the key to ending the war in a way that allows Ukraine to protect its sovereignty,” Karatnycky emphasized.

As reported by Ukrinform, separate phone conversations took place on Wednesday between Trump and both Putin and Zelensky.