European top diplomat forecasts talks between Trump and Putin on Ukraine

European Union diplomacy chief Josep Borrell suggested the possibility of negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump to address the Ukraine conflict. 

Speaking in an interview with Spanish radio, Borrell expressed his view while emphasizing that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would not accept any settlement without Kyiv's direct participation, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"Everything seems to indicate that Trump and Putin will sit down at the [negotiating] table with the discussion of the Ukraine issue to be on the menu," Borrell stated. He also reaffirmed his support for Ukraine's right to use weapons to strike Russian territory.

Borrell additionally referred to Russia’s recent deployment of the Oreshnik ballistic missile as an "alarming warning." Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier announced a combined strike on Ukraine's Yuzhmash defence facility and described the Oreshnik missile as unparalleled, capable of reaching speeds of 2-3 kilometres per second. Putin declared that the use of Western-supplied long-range weapons by Ukraine would not alter the trajectory of Russia’s military operations.

In related developments, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte disclosed plans to discuss peace strategies for Ukraine with Trump, emphasizing the necessity of avoiding concessions to Russia. Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed optimism that Trump's election could lead to a resolution of the Ukraine conflict, and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the US decision to authorize missile strikes deep into Russian territory, warning of unacceptable global escalation.

Trump's campaign spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, affirmed the president-elect’s commitment to restoring global peace. "Americans chose Trump again because they believe in his ability to lead the country and restore world stability," she said, adding, "When he returns to the White House, he will take the necessary steps for this very purpose." Leavitt, who is expected to serve as the White House press secretary in the upcoming administration, framed Trump’s approach as one centred on reinforcing American strength to achieve peace.

Putin, addressing the evolving geopolitical tensions, reaffirmed Russia's stance on responding to military threats. “Russia has the right to use weapons against military facilities of those countries that target Russian facilities,” he said. This followed the announcement of Russia’s strike on Ukraine’s Yuzhmash facility, which Putin described as a countermeasure to recent US and British strikes on Russian territory.

Bloomberg previously reported that Trump may soon initiate direct talks with Putin to explore avenues for resolving the Ukraine conflict. The prospect of such negotiations underscores the complex dynamics of international diplomacy surrounding the ongoing war and the heightened tensions between Russia and the West.

By Tamilla Hasanova