Mirna Fahmy
After three years of conflict between Russia and Ukraine, there are now tangible signs of hope for peace under the leadership of the 47th U.S. president, Donald Trump.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump explicitly stated that if he had been president in 2020, the Russian-Ukrainian war would have never occurred. Upon winning the election in November 2024, he promised to bring the war to an end by refusing to grant NATO membership to Ukraine, a stance that played a key role in negotiations. A proposal to delay Ukraine’s NATO membership for 20 years had been suggested but was firmly rejected by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump also suspended U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
On February 18, Trump pushed for a bilateral meeting between the U.S. and Russia in Saudi Arabia following a 90-minute call with Putin. The meeting, held in Riyadh, included senior officials from both countries, such as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and focused on improving diplomatic ties and ending the war in Ukraine. Notably, Ukraine was not invited to the negotiations.
A key outcome of the discussions was the decision to restore staffing at the U.S. and Russian embassies in Moscow and Washington, which had been drastically reduced since the war began in 2022. Projections suggest the war could conclude before the end of 2025, with both sides agreeing on a peace plan that requires Ukraine to hold new elections.
Zelensky’s Role in the Peace Deal
Regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s involvement, Trump criticized him for demanding a seat at negotiations about Ukraine’s future. In a press conference, Trump stated:
“You’ve been there for three years. You should’ve ended it in three years.”
In a social media post, Trump accused Zelensky of manipulating the U.S. into spending $350 billion on a war that, according to him, was unwinnable. He also blamed former President Joe Biden for mismanaging the conflict, calling him “grossly incompetent.”
Since the war began, Zelensky has relied heavily on U.S. military and financial support. In an interview with the Associated Press, he claimed that Ukraine had only received about $75 billion of the $177 billion allocated by the U.S. He admitted that a significant portion of the funds had gone unaccounted for which Trump was furious about in his post.
According to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the U.S. Congress has approved approximately $175 billion in assistance for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion nearly three years ago. By January 2025, the total U.S. military aid to Ukraine stood at $66.5 billion, with $65.9 billion allocated since February 2022.
Between 2022 and early 2025, the European Union (EU) and its member states collectively committed around €93 billion (approximately $145 billion) in financial, military, humanitarian, and refugee assistance to Ukraine. Trump criticized the disparity in financial contributions, arguing that the U.S. had spent far more than Europe on the war, despite it being of greater strategic importance to Europe.
Since assuming office, Trump has curtailed all U.S. aid to Ukraine, demanding that Zelensky either repay the funds or compensate the U.S. with rare natural resources from Ukraine. He also accused Zelensky of acting like a dictator for postponing elections, warning that he needed to act quickly or risk losing his country.
Europe’s Position on the Peace Deal
The U.S.-Russia peace talks excluded European nations, prompting EU leaders to convene an emergency summit in Paris. The summit resulted in a collective agreement that EU peacekeeping troops should be deployed to Ukraine, particularly along its borders with Russia and Poland, to maintain stability.
Trump welcomed this decision, calling it “a beautiful gesture” and expressing no objection to Europe’s involvement. The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to travel to Washington to propose deploying 30,000 European peacekeepers to Ukraine following a peace deal. He will also urge Trump to keep U.S. jets and missiles on standby in Eastern Europe in case Russia violates the agreement.
European peacekeeping forces are expected to be stationed in key Ukrainian cities such as Poltava, Kryvyi Rih, and Dnipro but will not be placed in demilitarized zones separating Ukrainian and Russian forces. Zelensky has previously stated that at least 120,000 to 150,000 troops would be necessary for this plan to be effective.
While many European leaders support the initiative, some remain skeptical. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called the idea of troop deployment “premature,” highlighting a lack of consensus. In January 2025, Germany blocked a €3 billion aid package for Ukraine, citing financial constraints.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson echoed concerns over European hesitancy, questioning why frozen Russian assets—valued at around $300 billion—had not been used to finance Ukraine’s recovery. He argued that European countries such as Belgium and France were preventing the funds from being unfrozen, which he deemed “absurd.” Johnson even asks “when are we Europeans going to stop being scandalised about Donald Trump and start helping him to end this war?”
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, UK prime ministers have refused to publicly consider sending British soldiers to the country till Starmer suggested sending British troops, rising oppositions from many political parties and public members.
Controversy Over Trump’s Peace Plan
Trump’s proposed peace deal has sparked controversy. The plan calls for a ceasefire along the eastern frontlines, potentially requiring Ukraine to withdraw from certain areas, including the Russian region of Kursk. Additionally, it may involve recognizing Russian sovereignty over current occupied territories which are Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Luhansk, Mykolayiv, and Zaporizhzhya Oblasts—an outcome Zelensky strongly opposes.
Critics argue that the plan effectively forces Ukraine into neutrality, blocking its path to NATO membership. Many analysts believe this approach would embolden Russian aggression and undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty. Trump has repeatedly blamed Zelensky for provoking Russia by seeking NATO membership, despite the fact that Russia initiated the invasion in 2022 to secure its trading route against external forces.
Military Developments
As of February 20, 2025, the war remains intense, particularly in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have advanced near Vovchansk and Toretsk, while Russian troops have reclaimed over 800 square kilometers of territory in the Kursk region. Fighting continues in Donetsk and Kharkiv, with heavy reliance on mechanized assaults and drone warfare.
Both sides have suffered significant losses, and Ukrainian drone strikes have successfully targeted Russian armored units. Meanwhile, Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities have resulted in high civilian casualties, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The war between Russia and Ukraine appears to be nearing its conclusion, but the terms of peace remain contentious. While Trump’s deal may bring an end to the fighting, its long-term implications for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security are uncertain. European leaders remain divided on their approach, and military developments continue to shape the geopolitical landscape. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the proposed agreement will lead to lasting peace or set the stage for future conflicts.