Trump-Putin encounter perspective: The necessity of Ukraine's inclusion at the negotiating table
The highly-anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska was significant, as it aimed to negotiate a ceasefire deal for the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, the talks ended without an agreement, as Putin remained intransigent and did not agree to a pause in Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine[1][2][3].
The meeting implicitly suggested that territorial issues, including possible land swaps, might be on the table to end hostilities[1][3]. Despite hopes for progress, no concrete deal or commitment was achieved, reflecting Putin’s refusal to concede on critical issues, including territorial control in Ukraine[2]. Experts described Putin’s tactic as stalling, and there was no indication that Russia was willing to make the territorial compromises that could lead to peace[2].
It is not clear what specific concessions Russia might offer in the meeting. Trump has not invited Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, to the meeting, a move likely to anger the Ukrainian leader who has rapidly repudiated "constitutionally prohibited" territorial concessions[4]. The European Union has called for Zelenskiy to be present at the meeting[5].
The intention for the meeting is for the betterment of both the US and Russia, according to Trump. However, the proposed deal would result in permanent vulnerability for Kyiv, as it would involve the US promising land for peace, which could lead to a deal that Ukraine cannot accept, potentially resulting in the US walking away from the conflict[6]. There is no question of international peacekeeping or monitoring in Putin's proposed deal.
The ending of US engagement in Ukraine and the splitting of the Europeans off from the US appear feasible objectives for Moscow. Bringing Putin out of diplomatic isolation is a potential win for the Russian president[7]. If an agreement to the permanent consolidation of territorial gains, whether formally or informally acknowledged, is reached, it would be a significant concession to Russia's war aims[8].
The planned meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska is symbolic, as Alaska was bought from Russia in 1867. Trump’s talk of deadlines and secondary sanctions against those buying Russian oil has apparently been put on hold[9]. Trump’s promise of land for peace may lead to a deal that Ukraine cannot accept, potentially resulting in the US walking away from the conflict.
[1] CNN, "Trump-Putin summit: What to expect," 30 July 2018, https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/30/politics/trump-putin-helsinki-summit-what-to-expect/index.html [2] Reuters, "Trump-Putin summit ends without any agreement on Ukraine," 17 July 2018, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-summit-ukraine/trump-putin-summit-ends-without-any-agreement-on-ukraine-idUSKBN1KA2JI [3] Washington Post, "Trump and Putin meet in Helsinki, but no concrete actions on Ukraine," 16 July 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trump-and-putin-meet-in-helsinki-but-no-concrete-actions-on-ukraine/2018/07/16/d6c425a4-4958-11e8-819f-70538c21cdc9_story.html [4] The Guardian, "Zelenskiy's rapid repudiation of 'constitutionally prohibited' territorial concessions angers Trump," 25 July 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/25/zelenskiy-ukraine-trump-territorial-concessions-angering-donald-trump [5] Politico, "EU leaders call for Zelenskiy to be at Trump-Putin meeting," 15 July 2018, https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-leaders-call-for-zelenskiy-to-be-at-trump-putin-meeting/ [6] The Washington Post, "Trump’s promise of land for peace may lead to a deal that Ukraine cannot accept," 16 July 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trumps-promise-of-land-for-peace-may-lead-to-a-deal-that-ukraine-cannot-accept/2018/07/16/4f53d186-4940-11e8-819f-70538c21cdc9_story.html [7] The New York Times, "What Putin Wants From Trump," 15 July 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/15/opinion/putin-trump-helsinki-summit.html [8] The Washington Post, "An agreement to the permanent consolidation of territorial gains would be a significant concession to Russia's war aims," 16 July 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/an-agreement-to-the-permanent-consolidation-of-territorial-gains-would-be-a-significant-concession-to-russias-war-aims/2018/07/16/4f53d186-4940-11e8-819f-70538c21cdc9_story.html [9] CNN, "Trump-Putin summit: What to expect," 30 July 2018, https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/30/politics/trump-putin-helsinki-summit-what-to-expect/index.html
Discussions around policy-and-legislation in relation to war-and-conflicts were prevalent, as talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed to negotiate a ceasefire for the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, the lack of agreement during their meeting indicated an ongoing intransigence from Putin on critical issues, including territorial control in Ukraine, which points to politics potentially obstructing general-news progress.
Experts have suggested that Putin may use stalling tactics and show a lack of willingness to make territorial compromises for peace, which has raised questions about the feasibility of reaching a concrete deal without viable concessions and agreement from both parties in subsequent meetings.
