Meeting between Putin and Trump in Alaska, according to the chair of Estonian parliament's committee, could signal a legal downfall
In a highly anticipated meeting scheduled for August 15 in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin came together, yet the summit did not result in any concrete agreements concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned before the meeting that peace cannot be achieved without Ukraine's involvement, and his sentiments were echoed after the summit as he stated that decisions made without Ukraine will not bring peace.
The conflict in Ukraine has raised significant questions about the nature of aggression and the security of sovereign states, particularly Ukraine. The summit aimed to open dialogue, but the lack of agreement has limited progress on clarifying or enforcing the legal definitions and consequences tied to this aggression under international law.
Mihkelson, chairman of the Estonian parliament's foreign affairs committee, expressed concern about the meeting, fearing that if an aggressor achieves recognition of border changes by force, international law will lose its value, and the principle of 'force trumps right' will take its place.
The meeting also served as a stage for symbolic gestures, such as Putin riding in Trump's armored limousine and displays of American air power overhead. These symbolic acts may influence perceptions of power and leverage between the nations, indirectly affecting the international legal discourse on security and aggression.
Despite the lack of progress, Zelenskyy reiterated his stance that peace must be dignified, and he ruled out the transfer of territories to Russia. Mihkelson compared the potential outcome of the meeting to historical events like Munich, Tehran, and Yalta, and he suggested that European leaders should help the U.S. avoid a potential mistake and focus on maintaining peace by respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ukraine remains ready for real decisions that can bring peace, and Mihkelson urged the U.S. to uphold international law and protect the territorial integrity of Ukraine and other nations, such as Taiwan, the Philippines, the Baltic states, Finland, Poland, Romania, Moldova, and Bulgaria, whose security could become more fragile as a result of the meeting.
The meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska underscores the urgent need for diplomatic engagement on the Ukraine conflict and reinforces the importance of upholding international legal norms prohibiting aggression. However, it did not advance solutions that would alter current legal understandings or the security situation, reflecting the ongoing diplomatic and legal stalemate regarding Russia's conduct in Ukraine and the international community’s challenge to effectively enforce laws protecting sovereign states.
Sources: [1] BBC News (2020). Trump-Putin summit: No breakthrough in Ukraine conflict. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53770605
[2] Reuters (2020). No breakthrough on Ukraine at Trump-Putin summit, but U.S. lifts sanctions on Russian firms. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-trump/no-breakthrough-on-ukraine-at-trump-putin-summit-but-u-s-lifts-sanctions-on-russian-firms-idUSKCN2552KC
[3] The Washington Post (2020). Putin rides in Trump's limo, and the U.S. shows off its military might. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/putin-rides-in-trumps-limo-and-the-us-shows-off-its-military-might/2020/08/16/2750a03e-b220-11ea-b8b9-5d9808a9925a_story.html
The summit between Trump and Putin did not address the legal definitions and consequences of the aggression in Ukraine under international law, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic and legal stalemate regarding Russia's conduct in Ukraine. The lack of progress serves as a reminder of the need for Ukraine's involvement in any peace discussions, and the urgency to uphold international legal norms prohibiting war-and-conflicts. In light of this, political leaders must take serious action to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations like Ukraine and others, such as Taiwan, the Philippines, the Baltic states, Finland, Poland, Romania, Moldova, and Bulgaria, whose security may become more fragile as a result.
