Students and faculty weigh in on ceasefire prospects
President Trump and members of his cabinet have begun negotiations with Ukraine and Russia in an effort to end the three-year conflict between the two nations. Trump’s efforts to end all fighting mark a departure from the Biden administration’s attempts to weaken Russia through economic sanctions and direct military aid to Ukraine.
As the president continues his “America First” approach to foreign policy, European nations are increasing the size of their ground forces, with France and the United Kingdom modernizing their nuclear forces as well.
This sentiment was confirmed by J. D. Vance at the Munich Security Conference: “How are you going to end the war unless you’re talking to Russia?” At the same conference, Vance reiterated his confidence in the negotiations, saying, “I really believe we’re on the cusp of peace in Europe for the first time in three years.”
Although some European countries aim to support the move in principle, they side more with Trump’s view that Ukraine doesn’t seem to fit into the European political landscape. Professor Michael Desch, Director of the Notre Dame International Security Center and Packey J. Dee Professor of Political Science, emphasized that U.S. dollars in Ukraine are seen as less effective approaches to the Trump administration as China becomes a bigger and more imminent threat. Desch continued, “The Trump administration will aim to wash their hands of this war.”
More recently, the leaders of the U.S. and Ukraine have waged a war of words. In a February statement, President Trump called Zelensky a “dictator.” During a visit to the White House on February 27, Zelensky was told to leave just before a mineral rights agreement was due to be signed, following a verbal confrontation with Trump and Vice President Vance during a press conference. President Trump has expressed support for a ceasefire as he continues to develop other foreign policy decisions.
When asked if he thought Trump’s remarks toward Zelensky would affect negotiations, Desch said no. He also highlighted the significant negotiating ground lost because of the fall of Kursk, telling the Rover, “[It] seems likely Ukraine hoped to trade Kursk for the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. Now that’s off the table.” With increased attention drawn to Europe’s military spending in the war, Desch does not see influence in the negotiations from increased spending, but he did tell the Rover, “Europe will be most important in post-war security assistance and rebuilding Ukrainian infrastructure.”
Duncan Hall junior Ethan Stone told the Rover, “The strategy taken by the Trump administration in the negotiations regarding the end of the war in Ukraine has been most notably marked by claims that mischaracterize factual events that occurred at the onset of the Russian invasion.”
Political science freshman Jack Ring approved of the negotiations, telling the Rover, “Peace negotiations, though coming far later than they should, are a necessary step in the journey towards international normalcy. The Trump administration should be praised for its skillful management of international crises early into its term.”
Ring contrasted the positions of the Trump and Biden administrations, saying “These claims, paired with direct attacks on the popularity and viability of President Zelensky, are a dramatic departure from the diplomatic ethos of the United States during the Biden administration.”
The Trump administration has attempted to leverage increased economic activity in Eastern Ukraine in lieu of an explicit security guarantee for Ukraine, which is what Zelensky contested during his February meeting with Trump at the White House.
Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, held talks with Ukrainian authorities about Ukraine’s economic integration and its relationship with the U.S. in the minerals trade. As part of his February European tour, shoring up allied support for American actions in Ukraine, Vance met with French president Emmanuel Macron to emphasize the shared military goals of the United States and Europe.
Trump and Putin have agreed to an immediate ceasefire to stop strikes damaging the Ukrainian energy structure. The deal comes as the White House notes that it is a “movement towards peace.”
Kevin Andrews is a sophomore in Keough Hall majoring in political science and economics. When not covering international war, he can be found in Duncan Student Center, wasting his Flex points, probably on Chick-fil-A. He can be reached at kandrew6@nd.edu.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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