As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, entire regions of eastern Ukraine and parts of Russia have been devastated by relentless fighting, airstrikes, and ground offensives. While diplomatic efforts remain stalled, reports indicate that former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may be engaging in informal discussions that could influence the future of the conflict.
Damage to Each SideThe damage to each side, has displaced most of the cities in eastern Ukraine, with cities like Mariupol, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, among other cities, being the cities hit the hardest. Well established boroughs have been reduced to ruble and critical infrastructure has also been destroyed including power plants and water processing facilities. In light of all of that, various Bushore regions across the border in Russia like Belgorod, have faced increased attacks that has triggered civilian evacuations, and disrupted livelihoods.
The economic fallout has devastating too, as Ukraine relies heavily on Western government support for defense, and repair of critical infrastructure and services. Russia is also facing a bind, as its economy is challenged by western sanctions, as well as unrest at home, attempting to keep failed supply lines operating and preparing for a limited budget.
Trump-Putin Talks
As rumors get louder regarding Trump’s possible comeback to White House, some news has revealed that informal talks have been started between him and Putin over a possible solution to the war. Trump himself has been known to express optimism about being able to negotiate a solution to stop the war, saying that if elected, he would do so very quickly. The precise details regarding any face-to-face talks are unclear, but sources say that future border arrangements and security assurances for each country are among the primary matters at hand.
For Russia, it is important to secure the control of the occupied land of Ukraine. The Putin regime has attempted to gain recognition for areas annexed by it, such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
This has always been rejected by Ukraine, which maintains that it does not accept any compromise unless all territories are liberated. Trump, with his complicated history with Putin, proposed that a compromise might be achieved. Future leaders in Ukraine, however, remain very apprehensive about any settlement that may undermine their sovereignty.
The Unclear Road Ahead
If Trump were to return to the White House in 2025, U.S. foreign policy could shift dramatically—from strong military support for Ukraine to a more negotiation-driven approach.
However, critics argue that Russia’s demands are non-negotiable and that any settlement perceived as appeasing Moscow could weaken global support for Ukraine.
With ongoing military escalations and diplomatic uncertainty, the future of Ukraine and Russia remains deeply uncertain, whether through Trump-Putin talks or continued conflict.
