Putin and Hamas signal for peace following Trump’s victory

During Donald Trump’s campaign for president, he often called for negotiating peace between Ukraine and Russia, while urging Israel to conclude its wars in the Middle East. Now multiple parties from each of these respective conflicts have signaled various degrees of willingness to negotiate following Trump’s election victory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymir Zelensky have both reacted to Trump’s victory and have shared their hopes about the coming administration. Likewise, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of Hamas leadership have also made statements on Trump’s return to the White House.

War in Ukraine

“What he said about his desire to rebuild relations with Russia, to facilitate an end to the Ukrainian crisis, I think this deserves attention at the very least … we are willing to talk to Trump,” Putin said.

Putin reacted to Trump’s victory with congratulations and words of admiration referencing the president-elect’s character. Putin commented on his admiration for Trump following his assassination attempts.

“I think he acquitted himself admirably in a valiant fashion of a man,” Putin said.

On the opposite side of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, Zelensky also had comments about Trump’s victory and even had a personal meeting with Trump about the prospects of the American-Ukrainian relationship going into the next administration.

Trump and Zelensky have both made comments following their meeting that they are on the same page and that the talks have been fruitful. Despite criticisms between the two presidents, especially during Trump’s campaign, they seemingly have mutual respect.

“It was extremely important to hear the words, of the then 45th President of the United States, about peace through strength. When this becomes the policy principle of the 47th President of the United States, America and the whole world will undoubtedly benefit from it,” Zelensky said.

Trump commented on the Ukrainian President following their meeting, saying that both he and Zelensky agree the war needs to end, along with his belief that Putin also wants the war to end. Trump expressed optimism that his administration will be able to play a meaningful role in these developments.

War in the Middle East

Beyond the war in Ukraine, leaders from the conflicts in the Middle East also commented on Trump’s victory. Netanyahu said he and Trump had spoken three times already and called Trump’s win a “huge victory.”

“We see eye-to-eye on the Iranian threat and all of its components and the danger posed by it. We also see the great opportunities before Israel in the field of peace and its expansion,” Netanyahu said.

Hamas leaders have commented and seem hopeful of a more open dialogue between Hamas and Trump, even though Trump is historically a close and loyal ally to Israel and has threatened Hamas over American hostages. However, Trump has also recently criticized Israel for some of their actions in the Middle East.

“Palestinians look forward to an immediate cessation of the aggression against our people, especially in Gaza, and look for assistance in achieving their legitimate rights of freedom, independence and the establishment of their independent self-sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital,” Hamas Spokesperson Basem Naim told Newsweek.

Given recent developments in the Middle East and the acceleration of hostilities between Hamas and Israel growing to include other regional powers such as Iran and Hezbollah, it is unclear exactly what direction Trump will take in cooling the crisis in the Middle East.

Trump has rhetorically focused on resolving the conflicts around the globe during his campaign. World leaders have taken note of this fixation, whether or not these policies are feasible, or durable remains to be seen.

Source » oaklandpostonline.com