Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's Chat on Ukraine: Peace, Putin's Demands, and the Aftermath
- Written by Moritz Gathmann
- Approx. Reading Time - 3 Mins
Peaceful Moment - Subsequent Events Unfold - Harmony at Last: An Examination of Its Implications
The buzz surrounding Trump's chat with Putin was at an all-time high - and so were the jitters. Particularly the Ukrainians, who dreaded that Trump might cave to Putin's pressures on Kiev without a second thought, like surrendering territories or calling off US military support.
- Vladimir Putin
- Ukraine
- Russia
- USA
- Kremlin
- Donald Trump
- Kiev
- Black Sea
- Saudi Arabia
- Cold War
Now, let's dive into what exactly went down:
What Putin Wanted
Sticking to his guns, Putin's main requests were:
- A Halt on US Military Aid to Ukraine: This crucial demand was a prerequisite for any truce agreement.
- Ukraine Avoiding NATO: Putin wanted to ensure Ukraine stayed away from NATO, essentially blocking its alliance with Western powers.
- New Ukrainian Presidential Elections: Putin had a hankering for elections in Ukraine, presumably for a pro-Russian government to take power.
- A Demilitarized Ukraine: Putin aimed for a Ukraine with no military clout, gaining control over invaded provinces like Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia.
What Happened Next
The conversation yielded some intriguing results:
- Partial Ceasefire: A temporary truce focusing on shielding energy infrastructure was agreed upon. This wasn't an all-encompassing 30-day ceasefire, as initially proposed.
- Prisoner Exchange: A deal was struck for a prisoner swap, involving 175 prisoners from each side, with a bonus for 23 severely injured Ukrainian soldiers as a gesture of goodwill.
- Diplomatic Relations Revival: Russia expressed eagerness to reanimate diplomatic activities with the US, including reopening consulates in San Francisco and Seattle.
All these developments paint a picture of tricky negotiations, where obstacles abound. Ukraine holds fast to its goal of recovering its territories, seeking NATO security guarantees, and pursuing justice for war crimes.
- Despite the European Union's commitment to the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the ceasefire in Ukraine remains a contentious issue, with Putin's demands for a halt on US military aid to Ukraine being a significant precondition for any agreement.
- Following their chat, expectations for a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine were not met, as a partial truce focusing on protecting energy infrastructure was agreed upon instead.
- The aftermath of the chat between Donald Trump and Putin saw Putin expressing expectations for a revival of diplomatic relations with the US, hinting at the potential reopening of consulates in San Francisco and Seattle.
