Trump, the U.S. president-elect, indicated that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is in the works and emphasized his goals of negotiating an end to the Ukraine war right after taking office on January 20. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump stated, "He wants to meet and we are setting it up," despite the Kremlin's response indicating that no official request has been made by the U.S. to coordinate such a meeting.

Trump's questioning of U.S. military and financial support for Ukraine has sparked debate. He referred to the conflict as a "bloody mess" and suggested a need for resolution. To facilitate this, he has nominated Keith Kellogg, a former national security adviser, as special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, who proposed conditional aid to Ukraine based on their willingness to engage in peace talks with Russia. If Moscow opts out of negotiations, Kellogg suggests continued support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism about Trump's presidency, suggesting that the war might come to a faster end under Trump's leadership. He noted having a "constructive exchange" with Trump, although specific demands for peace talks were not disclosed.

Amid ongoing violence, including recent Russian shelling that resulted in casualties in Ukraine, the international community watches closely as Trump's administration prepares for diplomatic engagement and potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy regarding the Ukraine conflict.