WSJ: Trump eyes diplomatic breakthrough with Putin on Ukraine

US President-elect Donald Trump has presented himself as a skilled negotiator capable of using his rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the war in Ukraine, ease tensions between the world's top nuclear powers, and reshape global politics, Caliber.Az writes via WSJ. 

However, this optimistic image contrasts with the track records of both leaders and the current geopolitical climate.

During his first term, Trump and Putin failed to secure agreements on critical issues like arms control and Ukraine, and the relationship between their two countries has deteriorated further since Trump left office.

Although Putin has expressed admiration for Trump, calling him “courageous” in a recent public forum, the Kremlin denied reports that the two had spoken following Trump's election, despite claims from the Washington Post that they held a phone conversation last week.

The stakes are higher than ever, with the US and Russia locked in a deepening conflict over Ukraine, and Moscow facing accusations of carrying out covert sabotage activities across Europe, including attempts to set fires on planes travelling to the US. More broadly, Putin is working to shift the global power dynamic by strengthening alliances with US adversaries like China, Iran, and North Korea.

Trump and Putin are now in the warm public rhetoric. Moscow congratulated Trump on his victory and on the campaign trail Trump repeatedly called the Kremlin leader tough and smart. The sentiments reflect Trump’s popularity among some in Russia, where average Russians balanced out their disdain for the US with glee over his election victory on social media. But the camaraderie belies deeper tensions.

As both leaders position themselves for potentially challenging negotiations over Ukraine, any hope of progress will depend on whether Trump can turn favourable rhetoric into meaningful diplomatic achievements.

By Khagan Isayev