Putin Unlikely to Accept Peace Deal from Trump, Warns Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister
Vladimir Putin is unlikely to accept any peace proposals from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, according to Ukraine’s former foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba. Kuleba, who resigned in September, warned that Putin’s focus on defeating Ukraine and challenging the West makes a peace agreement unfeasible.
Speaking to Politico, Kuleba said, “Ukraine is a personal obsession for Putin, but crushing Ukraine is also a means to accomplish his grand goal – to show the world how the West is incapable of defending itself or what it stands for.” He cautioned that if the Trump administration reduces military aid to Ukraine, it risks weakening Kyiv’s defenses and emboldening Russian aggression.
Experimental Ballistic Missile Launch by Russia
In related developments, Ukrainian officials reported that Russia recently tested an experimental ballistic missile over Dnipro. The missile, identified as the Oreshnik intermediate-range weapon, was equipped with multiple dummy warheads but lacked explosives. Russian President Putin described the launch as a “successful test,” claiming it demonstrated Russia’s strategic capabilities.
This test is viewed as a signal of Russia’s continued military focus on Ukraine, coinciding with intensified geopolitical tensions as the war persists. Analysts suggest the missile test underscores Moscow’s readiness to innovate and escalate its military strategies.
The warnings from Kuleba and the missile test highlight the complexity of achieving peace in Ukraine, as well as the strategic challenges facing the incoming U.S. administration.