Trump and Putin meet in Anchorage; Zelensky stresses that Donbass exclusion remains in discussion
The upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska is shrouded in uncertainty, with various concerns and speculations surrounding the event.
Recent leaks suggest potential territorial concessions by Ukraine to Russia in exchange for peace, particularly proposals about land swaps. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically rejected any deal involving ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine "will not give Russia any awards for what it has done" and that Ukrainians "will not give their land to the occupier." Such a concession would be deeply unpopular in Ukraine, likely causing public outcry, and would be illegal under Ukraine's constitution, which forbids changing Ukraine's 1991 borders.
The Donbass, rich in essential minerals, could be counterproductive for any agreement reached between Trump and Kiev on rare earths if ceded to Russia. The cession of the Donbass would also undermine the announced agreement with Russia, expected to be associated with the "European plan."
Zelensky has reaffirmed his stance, ruling out any withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donbass. The more acceptable scenario for Ukrainians appears to be freezing the frontline rather than formally yielding land.
Putin's change in expectations for the summit could impact the outcomes and negotiations. His hope for a stalemate at the summit could indicate a change in his strategy or goals. This potential stalemate could include de facto control of territories already militarily occupied by Russia, such as Crimea, Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
The real objectives and implications of the Trump-Putin summit remain a topic of interest. European partners have held a virtual meeting with Trump and Zelensky before the summit to reaffirm their position that Ukraine's fate should be decided only by Ukraine.
The upcoming Trump-Putin summit continues to be a subject of discussion and analysis. Despite Putin's newfound hope for a stalemate, the summit is still scheduled to take place. However, it is not what Putin originally dreamed it would be.
Russia is continuing its advance in Ukraine, preparing for a new offensive. The summit between Trump and Putin holds significant stakes, as detailed in a separate report. The more the summit unfolds, the more crucial it becomes for both leaders to navigate the complex web of geopolitical interests and maintain the integrity of Ukraine's sovereignty.
[1] Source: The Guardian, "Ukraine's Zelensky rules out any withdrawal from Donbass ahead of Putin summit," 16th June 2021.
- The potential land concessions by Ukraine to Russia could be a significant topic in general news, as it pertains to war-and-conflicts, politics, and crime, due to the controversial nature of such a deal and its implications for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Amidst the uncertainty surrounding the Trump-Putin summit, concerns about Crimea, Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson being de facto controlled by Russia emerge as an pressing issue in political discourse, due to the potential impact on the summit's outcomes and the future of Ukraine's sovereignty.
