Potential Consequences for Trump in a Meeting with Putin

President Donald Trump is ready to sit down with Vladimir Putin to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, a move that marks a significant step in his campaign to resolve the conflict. The stakes are high for Trump, as he has promised to bring an end to the war, a commitment that resonates deeply with his Republican base, who are increasingly skeptical about providing more aid to Kyiv. However, Russia seems unyielding in its demands, making any agreement seem distant.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov announced that both nations are tentatively on board for a high-level meeting, with details still being hashed out. This development follows Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, visiting Moscow to speak with Putin and other top officials. Meanwhile, Trump continues to pressure Russia to cease hostilities, threatening further U.S. sanctions on Russian exports and even on countries like India and China if a ceasefire isn’t reached soon.

India, a major importer of Russian energy, was specifically warned by Trump of potential penalties. Earlier this month, he also ordered two U.S. Navy nuclear submarines to strategic regions, responding to comments from Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed, “The Russians have expressed interest in meeting with President Trump, and the president is receptive to discussions with both President Putin and President Zelensky.”

Trump himself commented, “We’ve had some very good talks with President Putin today, and there’s a very good chance that we could be ending – the ending, the road ending, the end of that road.” Despite no immediate breakthrough, a former Trump national security official believes dialogue with Putin is a positive move. “The fact that these two presidents are talking is a good thing,” said Fred Fleitz on the “John Solomon Reports” podcast.

Fleitz continued, “It doesn’t mean Trump’s not going to be tough, but he’s giving Putin a final opportunity to speak with him before Trump implements very tough sanctions on Russia.” Despite Trump’s campaign promise to end the war within “24 hours,” his calls and diplomatic nudges have largely gone unanswered by Moscow. This has prompted him to ramp up the pressure with threats of broader sanctions on Russia and its trade partners.

The Trump administration sees a chance to advance stalled ceasefire talks by involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, though Trump says Zelensky’s presence isn’t mandatory. Initially, the administration bypassed Ukraine in early discussions with Russia, but they now show stronger support for Zelensky as Putin’s stubbornness becomes increasingly frustrating. However, Putin has been resistant to including Zelensky, suggesting that Russia isn’t ready for serious negotiations.

When questioned about Zelensky’s exclusion, Putin indicated that “certain conditions” haven’t been met, without clarifying further, though Ukraine remains firm against Moscow’s terms. During previous Istanbul talks, Ukraine prioritized a meeting between Zelensky and Putin, yet the discussions yielded no significant concessions from either side. The Russian agenda remains focused on disarming Ukraine, halting its Western partnerships, recognizing Russian annexations, and ensuring Ukraine’s neutrality.

President Trump, known for his negotiation skills, finds himself challenged in persuading Moscow to alter its objectives and end the conflict. The situation in Ukraine could hurt Trump’s domestic standing if the war continues and U.S. support for Kyiv persists. Among Republican voters, the level of support the U.S. has offered Ukraine, both militarily and financially, is increasingly unpopular.

A March Gallup poll revealed a majority of Republicans now believe the U.S. is providing too much aid to Ukraine, though this sentiment has waned slightly since Trump took office. Trump’s support for Zelensky and his decision to keep aiding Ukraine has even led to criticisms from some of his key allies. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene voiced her disapproval after Trump announced plans to sell weapons to NATO members for arming Ukraine.

Greene told the New York Times, “It’s not just Ukraine; it’s all foreign wars in general and a lot of foreign aid. This is what we campaigned on. This is what I promised also to my district.” She argues that focusing on Ukraine detracts from addressing critical issues at home, potentially alienating voters from the Republican party and Trump.

Greene stated, “No one’s walking around thinking about Ukraine. No one’s walking around thinking about Russia. They’re just not.” She emphasized that voters are concerned with domestic issues that need attention and resources, not foreign conflicts.