Meanwhile, Trump plans to speak to Putin on Tuesday and discuss ending the war in Ukraine. He is hoping to win Putin’s support for a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine accepted last week.
Joseph Siracusa, professor of global futures at Curtin University, said Trump’s relationship with Putin is “very important” in reaching a ceasefire deal.
“They’re sort of on the same page. They both understand that they are great powers and that there’s more at stake here than just Ukraine,” he told CNA938.
“All Putin has to hear from Trump is that there is no way that Ukraine will be joining NATO. That was what this was about in the first place.
“I think Trump’s in a good position to deliver. It’s hard to believe (but) Trump may wind up with the Nobel Peace Prize this year.”
Siracusa noted, however, that the potential ceasefire is just the start of a long-drawn-out diplomatic solution.
“I think once (Trump) assures Putin that NATO will not be marching down the road in Ukraine to the Russian borders, that will be the beginning of the deal,” he added.
“But most negotiations take a long time.”
