The newly appointed US National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, stated that he expects President Trump to engage in dialogue with both Russia and Ukraine shortly after taking office and establish relationships to further end the war in Ukraine. Recently, Keith Kellogg, Trump’s nominee for the Russia-Ukraine Special Envoy, also mentioned that there is a possibility to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine within 100 days of Trump taking office.
In an interview on Sunday, Waltz shared the most explicit plan to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict by the new administration on the ABC news program “This Week”.
Waltz mentioned that the first step would be engaging in direct dialogue with Russian President Putin, as the US has never had direct talks with Putin since the war began. He also emphasized the need for Kyiv to mobilize more personnel to stabilize the Ukrainian frontlines before negotiations.
Waltz stated, “From President Trump’s point of view, without establishing some form of relationship and dialogue with the other party, no agreement can be reached. We will definitely establish this relationship in the coming months.”
He added, “If the Ukrainian people ask us to protect democracy with all our might, we also need them to protect democracy with all their might.”
Waltz emphasized the need for more personnel to stabilize the frontlines and facilitate some form of agreement between the two sides.
Last April, Ukraine lowered the conscription age from 27 to 25, but Ukrainians oppose further reducing the age and express a desire to protect the next generation.
The conscription age in Ukraine has been a source of tension between Washington and Kyiv in recent months. The outgoing Biden administration has openly called on Kyiv to further lower the conscription age, but Ukraine cites the lack of sufficient weapons to arm the mobilized soldiers as the main reason for the hardship faced by Ukrainian forces.
A spokesman for the US State Department, Matthew Miller, previously stated in early December that if Kyiv lowers the conscription age, the US will be prepared to train and arm more Ukrainian soldiers.
Waltz mentioned during the interview that preparations for the call between Trump and Putin are underway, and he expects the call to take place in the coming weeks or days.
Last Thursday, Trump stated that he is arranging a meeting with Russian President Putin.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump commented, “President Putin wants to meet with me. He even publicly stated that we must end this war. It’s a mess.”
Trump mentioned that the details are still “to be determined”.
When the host Jonathan Karl asked on Sunday whether the meeting would only involve Trump and Putin or possibly include Ukrainian President Zelensky, Waltz replied, “We haven’t determined the exact framework yet. We are working on it.”
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly expressed his desire to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict on his first day in office or earlier.
Recently, Trump’s nominee for the Russia-Ukraine Special Envoy, retired Lieutenant General Kellogg, set a clearer timeline for ending the war.
Last Wednesday, Kellogg told Fox News, “I will set a timeline within 100 days.”
Kellogg stated his hope to “find a way to achieve this quickly, ensure that the solution is solid and sustainable, to end this war and stop the massacre.”
On Sunday’s program, Waltz emphasized that Ukraine apparently cannot completely push Russia out of its territory.
He said, “Everyone knows that this must end in some form of diplomatic way.”
“I think that saying we should drive all Russians out of every inch of Ukrainian land, even the Crimean Peninsula, is unrealistic. President Trump has recognized this reality, and I think the whole world acknowledges this reality, it’s a big step forward. Now let’s move forward!” he said.
The Republican congressman mentioned that Trump’s remarks help dispel the notion that the war will just continue indefinitely.
Waltz told Karl that many people have been writing “blank checks” for Ukraine, promising support as long as Ukraine needs it, whether it’s for months, years, or decades to continue this war.
He stated that the war has escalated to a World War I-style drain on personnel and resources, which could eventually lead to a third world war.
Waltz said that even Zelensky, President of Ukraine, is now willing to talk, ready to work with the US to end the war, which is a surprising outcome.