President Donald Trump is pursuing a dual-track diplomacy with Russia, simultaneously managing the immediate crisis in Ukraine while also exploring future arms control possibilities with President Vladimir Putin.
The crisis management track was evident in a recent phone call with Putin, which followed Trump’s August 18 meetings with Ukrainian and European leaders. In these talks, Trump has pushed for a European-led security solution for Ukraine, with the U.S. as “backup.”
The future arms control track was revealed through Trump’s disclosure of an August 15 meeting in Alaska. There, he and Putin discussed a potential “day after” scenario for the Ukraine conflict, which could include reductions in their nuclear arsenals.
This two-pronged approach highlights a complex strategy aimed at both de-escalating the current conflict and shaping the long-term strategic environment between the world’s two largest nuclear powers.