Media: Clock ticking for Biden’s peace efforts ahead of Trump’s presidency

US President Joe Biden must be eager to end at least one of his wars before he goes, and it might be possible to get a deal done before the chaos and uncertainty of a second Trump era begins.

According to British daiy newspaper The Guardian, US should grab this moment and give Russia the way out it needs, Caliber.Az reports.

Recently, Vladimir Putin received a phone call from the US president-elect, Donald Trump. Known for his critical stance on America’s extensive support for Ukraine, Trump’s outreach raises questions about potential shifts in policy that could open a path to peace.

Putin’s initial miscalculation in 2022, when he launched a full-scale invasion aimed at toppling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, set the stage for prolonged conflict. Ukrainian resistance proved formidable, repelling Russian forces back to territories captured during the 2014 incursion. Talks held in Istanbul months after this setback hinted at a possible ceasefire, alongside Western-backed security assurances for Kyiv.

However, with Western encouragement, Ukraine pressed on, deepening the proxy nature of the war. Western nations, while providing unprecedented financial aid and weaponry, imposed stringent sanctions on Russia that have failed to alter its course but instead reinforced alliances with other autocratic states.

This strategy has not come without significant costs. Ukraine has endured catastrophic destruction, with up to 80,000 military casualties and over 6 million citizens displaced. Western sanctions have had minimal impact on Russia’s policy and have exacerbated inflation and energy crises in the West, contributing to political instability in several nations, including the UK, Germany, and most recently the US.

With Trump poised to assume office, the path forward for Ukraine hangs in the balance. Resolving the conflict will likely require revisiting the 2014 Minsk and 2022 Istanbul accords, with potential compromises involving territorial adjustments and a security arrangement that stops short of NATO membership.

Meanwhile, Russia would need to accept Ukraine’s growing ties with the EU. Although Putin’s confidence has been buoyed by recent diplomatic gains, such as the BRICS summit in Kazan, delaying negotiations may risk strategic losses amid evolving US and NATO positions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev