Trump kick starts summit diplomacy with world leaders

Welcome to Within The Frame where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon.

U.S. President Donald Trump's recent diplomatic moves are making waves on the global stage.

His push for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has sparked fresh hopes, while his bold Gaza transformation proposal is stirring heated geopolitical debate.

Meanwhile, Trump's hardline trade policies with allies like Japan and growing gaps in diplomacy with South Korea raise questions about the future of U.S. partnerships in Asia.

For more on how Trump's high-stakes diplomacy continues to unfold, we invite Lim Eun-jung, Professor of International Studies at Kongju National University. Welcome.

Also joining us is Michael Allen, Professor of Political Science at Boise State University's School of Public Service.

(LIM) 1. So Professor Lim, on Wednesday, Trump announced that he had separate phone calls that day with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as he ordered top U.S. officials to begin truce negotiations. He mentioned that a ceasefire is to come in the not-too-distant future, raising hopes for a peaceful resolution. How significant is this breakthrough, and what challenges might arise in implementing an agreement between the two nations?

(ALLEN) 2. Given Trump's direct communication with President Putin and the agreement to start peace negotiations immediately, how do you assess the likelihood of a sustained ceasefire? Could this move shift the dynamics of U.S.-Russia relations?

(LIM) 3. President Trump's proposal to take control of Gaza and transform it into a Mediterranean tourist hub has sparked global debate. How do you view this plan from a geopolitical and political feasibility perspective?

(ALLEN) 4. King Abdullah II of Jordan firmly rejected the proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan. How significant is this rejection for U.S.-Jordan relations and the broader Middle East peace process?

(LIM) 5. Meanwhile, following the Washington-Tokyo summit, Japan agreed to double its defense budget by 2027. We are aware that Japan has been cautious about increasing its military presence due to its pacifist constitution. What do you think triggered the latest decision?

(ALLEN) 6. Trump's recent meeting with Japan's prime minister focused heavily on defense spending and trade. But despite the good atmosphere, Trump pushed through by slapping 25-percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the U.S. The U.S.-Japan relationship is often described as an "economic partnership." Do you think this tariff policy could fracture that partnership?

(LIM) 7. With a one-month grace period before the tariffs take effect, how could Japan leverage diplomatic channels to negotiate an exemption or soften the impact of this policy?

(ALLEN) 8. President Trump is set to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today U.S. time. Given Trump's emphasis on trade deficits and protectionist policies, what do you expect will be the main focus of the U.S.-India summit?

(ALLEN) 9. South Korea is facing a prolonged absence of high-level diplomacy with President Trump's second administration, especially compared to other nations actively engaging in summits. How do you interpret the impact of this diplomatic void on U.S.-Korea relations?

(LIM) 10. The lack of early communication between South Korea's acting president and President Trump has raised concerns. How critical is it for Korea to secure a summit soon, and what issues should be prioritized in such talks?