Analysis-Trump says he backs Ukraine, but early concessions to Russia spark concerns

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks, on the day of Tulsi Gabbard's swearing in ceremony as Director of National Intelligence, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 12, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo

WASHINGTON/PARIS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump has promised a swift end to the Ukraine war but with talks about to begin the author of "The Art of the Deal" may have already complicated his task by sacrificing leverage.

Trump, who took office on January 20, separately discussed the war on Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and told U.S. officials to begin talks on ending the nearly three-year-long war.