Ukraine Attacks in Russia Pushing War Towards Negotiation Table, Says Former Trump NATO Ambassador

Ukrainian attacks within Russia are helping to move Moscow and Kyiv closer to the negotiating table, according to former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker. Whitaker stated on Saturday that these actions, coupled with ongoing diplomatic pressure from former President Donald Trump, are creating conditions that could lead to an end to the conflict.

Whitaker emphasized that a resolution will require cooperation from both sides and will not be achieved through continued hostilities. "Ukraine continuing to make strong attacks on Russia... is helping to, I think, bring the sides closer together," he said during an appearance on "The Big Weekend Show." However, he cautioned that significant differences remain between the two nations on key issues, and that a lasting peace will ultimately stem from diplomacy and negotiation, not on the battlefield.

"That's why President Trump and his team continue to talk to both sides to find any similarities between the positions to bring them together," Whitaker added. He expressed confidence in Trump's ability to broker a deal if one is possible, stating, "If there's a deal to be made, President Trump is a businessman, he's a dealmaker, and I think he'll make the deal." Whitaker also noted that if Russian President Vladimir Putin is unwilling to compromise, a resolution will be "impossible."

Former President Trump recently commented on the escalating human cost of the war, reporting that 25,000 people died in the conflict last month, and 32,000 the month prior. He stated that the vast majority of these casualties were soldiers. "But whether they're soldiers or civilians, think of it: 32,000. Two months ago, 33,000 people; this month, 25,000 people died. What a shame," Trump told reporters. According to the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), Russia may have lost as many as 450,000 soldiers since the invasion began in 2022.