Trump reveals behind-the-scenes details of targeting Putin and security guarantee negotiations
In a significant development amid international efforts to end the conflict in Eastern Europe, US President-elect Donald Trump criticized the drone attack attributed to Ukraine that targeted the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. These remarks come at a highly sensitive time, as intensive negotiations are underway to outline the next phase and end the Russian invasion of Ukraine, making any direct military escalation against the leadership a major obstacle to peace efforts.
Details of the call between Trump and Putin
Speaking to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Donald Trump revealed that he had been in direct contact with the Russian president. Trump explained that Putin had personally informed him early that morning that he had been attacked, describing the Russian president as "very angry" about the incident. Trump commented on the attack, saying, "It's a sensitive time. It's not the right time. To be offensive in response to an attack is one thing, but to attack his home is another," emphasizing that targeting personal command centers could further complicate an already tense political situation.
Long-term security guarantees negotiations
In a related development concerning post-war security arrangements, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed details of the US offer to Kyiv. The United States proposed providing Ukraine with “robust” security guarantees for a renewable period of 15 years as a strategic alternative to deter any future Russian aggression. However, the Ukrainian side believes this duration is insufficient to guarantee long-term stability.
Zelensky stated that he had asked Washington to significantly extend this period, saying, “I really want these guarantees to be longer. I told Trump that we would like to consider the possibility of 30, 40, or 50 years.” The Ukrainian president indicated that his American counterpart promised to seriously consider this proposal, reflecting Kyiv’s desire to secure its future for generations to come, free from existential threats.
General context and impact of the event on the peace process
These developments gain significance from the historical context of the conflict, as attacks on presidential residences are considered a “red line” by the Kremlin, often leading to a fierce military response and an escalation in Russian nuclear rhetoric. Historically, warring parties have tried to avoid directly targeting heads of state in order to maintain open diplomatic channels, which explains Trump’s concern that such an attack could derail the current negotiations.
The strategic dimensions of American guarantees
Strategically, US security guarantees are the cornerstone of any potential peace agreement, as Ukraine seeks defense commitments similar to those granted to NATO members without immediate accession to the alliance. Extending these guarantees for 50 years, as Zelenskyy has requested, would represent a long-term US commitment to the security of Eastern Europe, potentially reshaping the region's geopolitical balance and curbing expansionist ambitions, but simultaneously placing a significant international responsibility on the US administration for decades to come.
