Trump-Putin meeting faces diminished prospects, according to Wolfgang Ischinger
In the lead-up to the scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, concerns about the summit's potential impact on the ongoing Ukraine conflict are rising. Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the Munich Security Conference's foundation board, has expressed his cautious optimism about the summit, emphasizing the lack of European involvement and the importance of leadership from key global figures like Trump and Putin.
Ischinger believes that the summit, while significant, raises questions about where Europe stands in this negotiation process. He suggests that a summit with Putin should only be offered when a negotiated ceasefire agreement is expected to be announced at the summit. This stance is based on his concern that Putin might use the meeting to boost his own image and potentially extend the bilateral process initiated in Saudi Arabia, discussing issues like Iran and other hotspots, which could result in Putin being portrayed as an equal negotiating partner.
Steve Witkoff, who is involved in the preparation for the meeting, has been sitting opposite people in the Kremlin who have 30 or more years of experience and manipulative skills, according to Ischinger. This observation has added to Ischinger's skepticism about the effectiveness of the summit without broader multilateral engagement.
Despite Trump's expectation of a "constructive conversation" with Putin, aiming to persuade him to end the war in Ukraine, Ischinger sees little chance that the summit will bring Ukraine closer to peace. He believes that Putin does not deserve this status until he demonstrates a commitment to ending the war in Ukraine.
The location of the meeting is not specified, but it is known that Witkoff visited Moscow for the preparations. As the summit approaches, Ischinger's comments serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in resolving the Ukraine conflict and the need for careful consideration and strategic negotiation. The outcome of the meeting remains uncertain, but the hope is that it will mark a step towards peace in Ukraine.
The summit between Trump and Putin, amidst concerns about the ongoing Ukraine conflict, has provoked discussions about Europe's role in the negotiation process. Ischinger advocates for a precondition of a negotiated ceasefire agreement before any summit with Putin, fearing that Putin might use the meeting to boost his image and divert negotiations to other political hotspots.
The complexity of resolving the Ukraine conflict is underscored by Ischinger's skepticism, with little hope that the summit will bring Ukraine closer to peace, especially considering Putin's alleged manipulative skills displayed in previous negotiations.
