Donald Trump Jr has issued a stark warning that his father, former President Donald Trump, could abruptly withdraw from efforts to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, characterising him as profoundly "unpredictable".
'America First' and the Unpredictable Path to Peace
Speaking at the Doha Forum in his capacity as a business leader, Trump Jr addressed the current US administration's global diplomatic initiatives. He argued that achieving peace in Ukraine is not a primary concern for the American public, suggesting that domestic issues pose a more immediate threat.
"Gangs bringing illegal drugs into the US are a far greater clear and present danger than the war between Ukraine and Russia," he stated during a discussion with Sky's lead world news presenter Yalda Hakim. Trump Jr used the platform to outline an "America first" agenda focused on investments in defence technology and artificial intelligence.
While his father has publicly called for a ceasefire, Trump Jr admitted uncertainty about his commitment to the ongoing peace process. When pressed on whether the former president might walk away from negotiations, he replied: "I think he may. What's good about my father and what's unique about my father is you don't know what he's going to do. He's unpredictable."
He elaborated, calling Donald Trump "the most unpredictable person, probably in the history of politics", a trait he suggested enables him to "get something done".
Kremlin Reactions and High-Stakes Negotiations
These comments arrive shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared certain aspects of a US proposal to end the conflict unacceptable to the Kremlin. This week, a delegation of Trump's advisers, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, held talks with Ukrainian negotiators Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov.
The discussions aimed to establish a security framework for a post-war Ukraine. In a joint statement, both parties delivered a sobering assessment, agreeing that any "real progress toward any agreement" is contingent on "Russia's readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace", including concrete steps towards de-escalation.
The statement also noted a separate review of a "future prosperity agenda" designed to support Ukraine's reconstruction and long-term recovery through joint US-Ukraine economic projects.
A Pivotal Moment for European Diplomacy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies have consistently accused Putin of deliberately stalling peace talks while Russian forces continue their offensive. In a video address last Thursday, Zelensky questioned what "other pretexts Putin has come up with to drag out the war".
Intriguingly, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who participated in talks in Moscow this Tuesday, praised Jared Kushner's potential role. "If any plan leading to a settlement is put on paper, it will be the pen of Mr Kushner that will lead the way," Ushakov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin.
The diplomatic landscape is set for further significant developments. President Zelensky is preparing to visit London for talks in Downing Street on Monday, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer will welcome him alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden emphasised the critical nature of this juncture, stating Ukraine faces a "pivotal" moment. He affirmed that Ukraine's security and self-determination would be "at the heart" of the leaders' discussions.
"The principle behind the talks will be for Ukraine to be able to decide its own future," McFadden said. "Everybody wants the war to come to an end, but they want it to come to an end in a way that gives Ukraine that freedom of choice in the future... not a completely toothless organisation which is unable to decide its future."
