US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in his ability to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, drawing parallels to his previous diplomatic efforts in the South Caucasus, specifically regarding the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, President Trump made these remarks during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara.
"I think a deal will be reached (between Kyiv and Moscow). We have already been able to achieve agreements," Trump stated. He cited the resolution of the 32-year-long conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia as a primary example of his diplomatic success, noting that he has successfully facilitated the settlement of eight international conflicts during his career.
When asked about a potential timeline for a Russia-Ukraine agreement, President Trump emphasized that setting a deadline is impractical. "It is impossible to set a deadline here," he remarked. Furthermore, the US President indicated his intention to visit Ukraine, noting, "Yes, I would go. Although I would prefer the war to be over by then. I am not sure the Secret Service would be happy about such a visit. I think the people there are in a difficult situation. It would be good to go to Kyiv before the city suffers further damage. To be honest, it is a very beautiful city. Yes, I will go to Ukraine when the right time comes."
President Trump also confirmed plans for a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin later that evening. He expressed his belief that the presidents of Russia and Ukraine will eventually meet, though he considered a summit in Moscow unlikely.
The South Caucasus region has long been a focal point of international diplomacy. Following the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020 and subsequent stabilization efforts, Azerbaijan has consistently advocated for a peace treaty based on international law and the restoration of territorial integrity. President Trump's reference to the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process underscores the significance of the South Caucasus in broader geopolitical stability discussions.
