Donald Trump Pursues Rapid Normalization of Relations With Russia

President Donald Trump is pursuing a rapid normalization of relations with Russia, utilizing economic incentives and diplomatic pressure to facilitate a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. Trump has bypassed a bipartisan law imposing tariffs on Russia, arranged a diesel purchase from Moscow, and discussed a deal involving the energy firm Lukoil.

Trump has publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming Ukraine has given "nothing to us" and characterizing the Ukrainian leader as an obstacle to peace. In response to the pressure, Zelensky has warned that Ukraine has a "low chance to survive without support of the United States."

To advance these goals, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to meet Zelensky in Oslo, Norway, on Tuesday, with the participation of Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and President Alexander Stubb. Following the Oslo meeting, Witkoff and Kushner will travel to St. Petersburg to meet Vladimir Putin, where they intend to negotiate the release of detained American Stephen Hubbard.

Trump's broader diplomatic strategy includes a planned three-way meeting with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China next month to discuss nuclear arsenals. This will be followed by a G20 summit hosted at Trump's Doral resort in Florida.