Trump on Two Fronts: A Near Truce in Ukraine and Rapprochement with North Korea

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With a mix of deals and pressure tactics, U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to reshape the geopolitical landscape, leveraging his global influence.

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On one hand, he aims to end the war in Ukraine through an agreement ensuring that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky adhere to its terms, using his economic influence and personal connections as leverage.

On the other hand, he is reopening communication channels with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, drawing on past experiences that, while controversial, brought Pyongyang to the negotiating table rather than confrontation.

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What Are Trump’s Latest Efforts?

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that there is ongoing communication with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and that his administration will “likely do something” regarding engagement with the country.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “There is communication,” without providing further details.

Last month, Trump stated that he still has a good relationship with Kim Jong-un, with whom he met several times during his first term. He once again referred to North Korea as a “nuclear power.”

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When asked by reporters in an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about his plans to restore relations with Kim, Trump responded, “I have a great relationship with Kim Jong-un, and we’ll see what happens, but he is certainly a nuclear power.”

On January 20, when he began his second term, Trump described North Korea as a “nuclear power,” raising questions about whether he would pursue arms limitation talks rather than negotiations on denuclearization in any renewed engagement with Pyongyang.

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What About the War in Ukraine?

On Monday, Trump expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin “will fulfill his part” of an agreement aimed at establishing a truce in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “I want to make sure he honors his commitments. I believe he will do what he told me, and I think he will now fulfill his part of the agreement.”

On Sunday, Trump criticized both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he is trying to persuade to reach an agreement to end the war that has lasted for more than three years.

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He added, “There is also Zelensky, and I hope he fulfills his commitments as well.”

Regarding Russian oil, Trump stated that he does not intend to “impose additional tariffs (…), but I think I will take action if I see that he (Putin) is not doing what he should.”

On Sunday, NBC anchor Kristen Welker reported that Trump had called her to express his frustration over the stalled efforts to resume ceasefire talks between Moscow and Kyiv, as well as his “anger” at Putin’s doubts about Zelensky’s leadership.

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Trump’s Fury

According to Welker, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on companies importing Russian oil.

She added that Trump told her he was “very angry and upset” when Putin began questioning Zelensky’s credibility and suggesting that Ukraine needed new leadership to reach a peace agreement.

However, Trump later softened his tone toward Putin and redirected his frustration toward Zelensky, warning him of potential problems if he backed out of an agreement that would grant the United States mining rights in Ukraine.

Putin rejected a joint U.S.-Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day ceasefire and suggested on Friday that Zelensky step down as part of the peace process. This signaled a hardened negotiating stance from Moscow and provoked strong reactions from Kyiv.

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