Trump voices doubts about Putin's transformation prior to the summit
In a bid to revive peace talks for the long-running conflict in Ukraine, President Donald Trump has convened a summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska. However, prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain, as Russia's inflexible demands and continued military aggression, along with apprehensions from Ukrainian and European leaders, complicate the situation.
Trump's meetings with Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy aim to discuss ending Russia's years-long invasion of Ukraine. Yet, the Kremlin remains ambivalent, with Putin unwilling to negotiate seriously without military advantage. Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Lavrov, have emphasized that Russia demands a veto over Ukraine's future security guarantees, effectively blocking a peace settlement acceptable to Ukraine and its Western allies.
Recently, Trump has urged Ukraine to take a more offensive military posture against Russia, a shift from his earlier caution. However, Ukrainian and European leaders are unsettled by Trump’s rhetoric that at times echoes Russian narratives questioning Zelenskyy's legitimacy and raise fears that Trump’s peace overtures might compromise Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They worry the upcoming summit could be exploited by Russia to gain political concessions without genuine conflict resolution.
Despite Trump's threats of "very severe consequences" if Putin is not serious about ending the war with Ukraine, Putin's determination to conquer Ukraine has reportedly intensified as the war has dragged into a fourth year. Putin still wants to ensure that Ukraine never joins NATO and that foreign peacekeepers don't enter the territory.
Putin, considered more ideological today than in his earlier years, is more motivated by imperial ideas. He is reportedly determined to present a meeting with America as his personal victory and continue applying pressure on Ukraine as before. Zelensky has warned that Putin is not preparing for a ceasefire or an end to the war.
The US intelligence community is skeptical about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Putin, with some officials believing that his paranoia during the pandemic may have influenced his decisions regarding Ukraine. Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine this year, raising concerns among European leaders about Trump getting lured into a deal that rewards Russia for the invasion.
Trump's desire to better understand Putin comes amid concerns that the White House is being manipulated by the Kremlin. A person with such a mindset is hard to negotiate with, according to Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia. As the summit unfolds, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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