Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Urges Trump to Broker End to Ukraine War After Gaza Deal Agreed
KYIV, UKRAINE - In a phone call on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked US President Donald Trump to apply pressure on Russian leader Vladimir Putin to engage in talks to end the war in Ukraine. The request comes after a recent deal was reached to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.
According to sources close to the conversation, Zelenskyy told Trump that if he could stop one war, others can be stopped as well. This statement reflects the Ukrainian president's optimism about the potential for international mediation to bring an end to the conflict.
The call between Zelenskyy and Trump took place a day after Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy grid, knocking out power to parts of the capital, Kyiv, and nine other regions. However, the power has since been restored in those areas.
Diplomatic efforts to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine have slowed in recent weeks due to global attention shifting towards brokering a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. The international community has been divided on how to address the conflict, with some calling for increased sanctions against Russia while others advocate for dialogue.
Zelenskyy's appeal to Trump is seen as an attempt to revive diplomatic efforts and bring international pressure to bear on Putin. "We need the United States' help in stopping this war," Zelenskyy said during a press conference earlier this week. "We believe that if the US can stop one war, others can be stopped as well."
The Ukrainian president's request has sparked debate among analysts and diplomats about the potential for international mediation to bring an end to the conflict. Some argue that Trump's involvement could help to galvanize global attention and pressure on Putin, while others caution that any efforts to broker a peace deal must involve all parties directly involved in the conflict.
The current situation on the ground remains tense, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefire agreements. The international community continues to call for an end to hostilities and a return to diplomatic negotiations.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Trump's involvement will lead to any breakthroughs in the peace process or if it will simply add another layer of complexity to the already fraught diplomatic efforts.
*Reporting by Aljazeera.*