Merz and Zelensky, following their phone conversation, express a shared hope for Trump's success - After their phone conversation, Merz and Selensky declared, "We're rooting for Trump's success."
The future of Ukraine was the focus of a summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. However, the absence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU representatives at the table raised questions about the summit's effectiveness as a peace forum.
The three-year war of aggression by Putin against Ukraine has been a significant obstacle to peace. Despite Trump's efforts to revive diplomacy and push for immediate dialogue, Russia's hardline stance and continued military aggression indicate that Putin is unlikely to pursue peace until faced with military setbacks.
Ukraine's President Zelenskyy firmly opposes concessions on territorial sovereignty, particularly regarding the Donbas region, making progress difficult. Russia has shown little willingness to engage meaningfully in peace talks without conditions, such as demanding a veto on Ukraine’s security guarantees.
The situation remains fragile, with substantial obstacles to resolving the war peacefully in the near term. The hope for peace, while present, is limited and uncertain. The potential for a "Territorial Exchange" that could benefit Russia has been suggested, but it remains to be seen how this might play out.
The absence of key Ukrainian and European perspectives at the summit fuelled concerns about the possibility of a fair peace. The hope for peace, while present, is also accompanied by fear that Russia may benefit from the violation of international law.
In summary, while Trump's summit aimed to restart dialogue, peace hopes currently depend on future bilateral talks between Putin and Zelenskyy, which face major political and territorial disagreements alongside Russian insistence on influencing Ukrainian security matters—factors limiting the immediate likelihood of a lasting settlement.
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