U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed plans to hold critical talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, aiming to broker an end to the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict. The discussions follow recent diplomatic progress between U.S. and Russian officials in Moscow, with Trump stating, "We're doing pretty well… a lot of work's been done over the weekend."
The proposed 30-day ceasefire plan, already accepted by Ukraine, is expected to dominate the agenda. Trump emphasized topics like territorial boundaries and nuclear power plant ownership will be addressed, adding that "both sides have discussed [these] very much."
Land Disputes & Zero-Sum Dynamics
Zhao Junjie, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, warned that territorial negotiations remain a key hurdle. "Any concession could trigger public backlash in Ukraine," he told CGTN, likening the talks to a zero-sum game where territorial gains or compensation might shape outcomes.
Diplomatic Thaw: US-Russia Relations
Recent high-level meetings, including a February 18 dialogue in Riyadh, laid groundwork for renewed cooperation. U.S. and Russian officials agreed to establish a consultation mechanism to resolve bilateral tensions, with Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov calling talks "serious [and] constructive."
Zhao noted potential shifts in U.S. policy under the new administration could drive progress: "If Washington pushes to end the conflict, both sides will likely comply." He highlighted discussions on nuclear arms treaties and EU-Russia relations as pivotal to broader peace efforts.
Challenges Ahead
Despite optimism, Zhao cautioned that deadlocks over critical issues like the return of seized Russian diplomatic properties in the U.S. could derail negotiations. "Achieving peace remains fragile," he said.
As global markets watch closely, the talks could mark a turning point in stabilizing Eastern Europe—an outcome with implications for Asia's geopolitical and economic landscape.
