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US seeks swift end to Ukraine war to resume business with Russia, says Polish expert

01.12.2025 15:00
The United States is reportedly seeking a swift end to the war in Ukraine to resume commercial ties with Russia, according to Polish American studies expert Prof. Tomasz Płudowski.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff shake hands before a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 06 August 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff shake hands before a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 06 August 2025Photo: EPA/GAVRIIL GRIGOROV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL

Speaking to the Polish Press Agency (PAP) on Monday, Płudowski said Washington’s approach prioritises "influence, resources and business interests" over ideological commitments.

He argued that President Donald Trump has no detailed strategy, instead delegating negotiations to his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, a former real estate developer.

According to Płudowski, Witkoff wields more influence over the peace initiative than US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and brings a pragmatic, business-oriented style to talks that makes them "fairly raw."

"The Americans want the war over quickly so the US and Russia can get back to doing business," Płudowski said.

"They aim to return to a policy in which the US and Russia divide spheres of influence, with China in mind, while Europe is pushed to a secondary role,” the expert added.

He also addressed reports that Witkoff had coached senior Russian officials on dealing with Trump and that the US plan merely reflected a proposal from Moscow.

Płudowski said such behaviour could simply reflect Witkoff’s business-minded approach, rather than disloyalty, noting that the US envoy "thinks pragmatically" and aims to ensure the negotiations succeed.

The comments follow four-hour talks in Florida on Sunday between US and Ukrainian officials aimed at ending the war.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the meetings as "productive," while noting that much "remains to be done."

The US delegation included Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who are expected to present a peace plan to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday.

Ukraine was represented by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, following the conflict it had sparked in 2014 by annexing Crimea and backing separatists in the country’s east.

(ał)

Source: PAP