A Summit in Limbo: Trump's Proposal for a Three-Way Meeting with Putin and Selenskyj Rejected by Kremlin
No immediate plans for a three-way summit between the Kremlin, Trump, and Zelenskyy are in sight.
Hold onto your hats, folks, because Pol's all over this one! Here's the skinny:
Just when you thought things were heating up with talks between Russia and Ukraine on Monday in Istanbul, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow pours a bucket of cold water on everyone's hopes. In an interview with Interfax, he casually drops the bomb that there's no near-term three-way summit between Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Selenskyj, and our own Trump. Why? Peskow says the Russian leader is all for high-level contacts, but a face-to-face with the trio is a no-go, at least for now.
You might ask, what's with the delay, Pesky? Well, the man explains that such a meeting should be the culmination of prior agreements at a technical level, not something to rush into headfirst.
But wait, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Last week, Trump threw out the idea of such a summit to bring an end to the three-year-old Ukraine conflict.
Now, you're probably wondering, what comes out of these talks in Istanbul? Peskow ain't too optimistic, claiming there won't be any breakthroughs, but there could be some big wins on the humanitarian front. Seems the warring parties agreed on another large exchange of prisoners and the return of the bodies of soldiers.
Consider this: the document Russia submitted during the talks outlines its max demands. It wants Ukraine to cede territory unacceptable to Kiev, submit to Russia's rule, and accept the international community messing with Russia's conquests. And let's not forget the uber-important point of Russia wanting a halt to military support for Ukraine and all the sanctions against poor old Russia lifted.
Now, remember, when it comes to negotiations, Peskov thinks it's best to keep mum about all these demands. Instead, they should be hashed out during the negotiation process, not debated in the public eye.
So, there you have it. The resurgent Russian bear may not be ready to square up to the stars and stripes just yet, but rest assured, it'll keep pawing for what it wants.
References:- ntv.de- jog/dpa
- Dmitri Peskow
- Vladimir Putin
- Donald Trump
- Volodymyr Selenskyj
- Attack on Ukraine
- Ukraine Conflict
- Russia
- Ukraine
- USA
What's the Score with Russia's Memorandum?
The memorandum Russia submitted during peace talks with Ukraine presents several key demands, all aimed at securing its interests in the region and maintaining leverage over Ukraine. Here's a rundown:
- Territorial Annexations: Russia wants a permanently annexed Crimea, and more territory in Ukraine's Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts.
- Troop Withdrawal and Demobilization: Moscow requires Ukraine to withdraw its military from these regions and demobilize, weakening its defense capabilities.
- Neutrality and NATO Aspirations: Russia demands Ukraine abandon its aspirations to join NATO or other military alliances, ensuring Ukraine remains neutral.
- Ban on Foreign Military Aid: Russia insists Ukraine stops receiving foreign military aid, bringing an end to Western arms supplies.
- Lifting Martial Law and Elections: Ukraine would need to lift martial law and hold elections within 100 days, leading to a potential political shift favoring Russian interests.
- Amnesty and Language: Russia seeks amnesty for prisoners of war and official recognition of Russian as a language in Ukraine, further integrating Ukraine into Russia's influence.
- No Foreign Troops: Russia requires the prohibition of foreign troop deployment in Ukraine to prevent potential peacekeeping measures.
These demands place Ukraine in a precarious position, and acceptance would likely lead to political subjugation to Russia. The West, especially the USA, is not likely to participate in discussions that undermine Ukraine's sovereignty. The result? Increased tensions between Russia and the USA, as well as other Western countries.
The European Union, given its commitment to the implementation of the EU's nuclear programme, might find it crucial to closely follow the ongoing political developments between Russia and Ukraine, particularly the recent summit proposal rejection by the Kremlin. Moreover, the General News surrounding the proposed three-way meeting between Putin, Selenskyj, and Trump, along with the hardline demands outlined in Russia's memorandum at the peace talks, potentially pose significant implications for the political landscape of Europe.
