President Trump’s national security team has initiated discussions with the White House and Ukrainian leaders to explore potential pathways to end the ongoing war with Russia, according to multiple sources cited by NBC News.
While Trump’s advisers and Cabinet nominees, who hold differing views on the conflict, have yet to present a concrete peace plan to Kyiv, the president-elect has emphasized his desire to halt the fighting before his inauguration next month. Trump has publicly described the casualties on both sides as a “tragedy” and called on Russia to make peace, though he has also signaled the possibility of reducing U.S. military aid to Ukraine or restricting Kyiv’s use of American-made long-range missiles.
When asked on Meet the Press about his efforts, Trump confirmed he is working toward ending the war but declined to disclose whether he had spoken with Putin since the election. “I don’t want to say anything about that because I don’t want to do anything that could impede the negotiation,” he said.
Speculation has also emerged about whether Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a known Putin ally, may have conveyed messages from Russia during his recent visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. The Trump transition team has not commented on these reports.
Trump’s national security advisor pick, Rep. Mike Waltz, has been in contact with current Biden national security advisor Jake Sullivan. According to a senior administration official, their discussions have focused on sharing key information rather than crafting strategies for a ceasefire or peace plan. This coordination aims to avoid surprises during the transition period.
In a meeting last week between Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and Trump’s envoy-designate Keith Kellogg, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance also participated. Observers noted a positive atmosphere during the exchanges.
