Can the US president Donald Trump to appear convinced that the termination of the war on the Ukraine They are closer than ever, stating that both Kiev and Moscow want to stop hostilities, but European leaders still do not believe that Vladimir Putin really wants to do so.
As he points out in his analysis the Politicocommenting on rapid developments in the diplomatic field for the war in Ukraine, after its fetch Donald Trump With Vladimir Putin in Alaska Last Friday (15.8.25) but also the meetings of the US president at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski and its leaders European Unionhis NATOher Franceher Germanyher Great Britainher Italy and her FinlandEuropeans do not believe that the Russian president is honest in terms of a peace agreement.
That is why their strategy, according to the report, is to thank and praise Trump until he reached the same conclusion and realize that he should adopt a harder attitude towards the Russian president.
In accordance with Politicothe European side considers that this is an approach that benefits both sides. Will be happy to disprove if the US president manages to negotiate the end of the war in Ukraine with substantial security guaranteesbut the primary goal is to reveal the Russian leader’s bluff and put pressure on tougher sanctions.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is true to make the greatest efforts to prevent the war in Ukraine through diplomatic contacts with Putin, is now the most sincere declaring that The Russian president is not serious about peace And he is still committed to his goal of destroying an independent, democratic Ukraine.
“I think President Putin wants peace? The answer is no. If you want me to tell you my sincere opinion: No. I think President Trump wants peace? Yes, “Macron said before leaving for Washington, where he participated in talks on Monday.
“I don’t think President Putin wants peace. I believe he wants the tradition of Ukraine. This is what he has suggested. ” Indeed, instead of offering any concessions for a peace agreement, Putin simply requires more territories than Kiev, including basic Ukrainian defense lines that would allow him to invade deeper into the country. It also categorically rejects the presence of NATO forces to ensure the country’s security after the war is a critical condition for Kiev.
With preparations for a possible summit between Russia and Ukraine in progress, leaders from all over Europe held a series of extraordinary talks on Tuesday to evaluate their reaction and share information from discussions that took place at the White House the previous day.
According to five diplomats, who were given anonymity to shed light on sensitive conversations, the presidents, prime ministers and ambassadors expressed deep skepticism about the potential for the Kremlin to negotiate in good faith, but they were in good faith,
“It is clear that if we come up with a situation where Putin proves that he does not want to end the war, this will force Trump to act and strengthen the arguments in favor of sanctions,” said a diplomat from a country represented at a virtual European Council meeting on Tuesday.
Europeans believe that the pressure of US sanctions is vital to the diplomatic process, and many argue that Putin was forced to meet with Trump in Alaska only after Washington imposed high duties in India to buy Russia’s economic vessel. The dramatic next step would be to escalate similar sanctions to “strangle” Russia’s extremely important trade with China.
A second diplomat confirmed that the allies were willing to support the US initiative to achieve a ceasefire, not because they necessarily believed it would succeed, but “because it would be a clear test of Russia’s intentions”.
One third said that the security guarantees they are developing would help Ukraine “negotiate from a position of power”, while sanctions will ensure that “we have influence on Putin”.
Leaders such as the President of the European Commission Ursula von der LayenNATO Secretary -General Mark Ruttethe Emmanuel Macronthe British Kir Starmer and the Italian Georgia They traveled to Washington on Monday to support Ukraine President Volodimir Zelenski in a meeting with Trump. This happened a few days after Putin’s reception by the US leader for talks in Alaska and the statement that progress has been made in “many points”.
“This is a continuous Trump management practice for all including Putin, by the way,” he said. Fion Hilla former Republican consultant during his first presidential term and now a senior researcher at Brookings Institution, in Politico.
“But I think they did as a good job as one could expect on Monday.”
According to her, the best one could hope for from the Alaska Summit was “something they could work with and it seems that there was something, even though the image was terrible.”
The Western partners have praised Trump – thanking him for the organization of talks – and have sincerely relieved him as it seemed to give substantial assurances that the country would play a role in security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping agreement.
However, behind closed doors, they focus more on pushing for new harsh economic sanctions if and when Moscow refuses to end its invasion. “Everyone is taking the necessary steps,” said a fourth EU diplomat. “But we don’t know what Putin’s final plan is. What will Putin motivate to make concessions? I don’t know. “
Pressure for peace talks is a problem for the Russian leader
The Kremlin’s response to the next round of diplomatic conversations was indefinite. Trying to save time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow was not rejecting talks with Ukraine, but insisted that any summit should be prepared “step by step, gradually, starting at the level of experts.”
Putin even suggested, without much help, a summit in Russiaan idea that was rejected immediately. A German official said this amphibious is an essential test for Russia’s seriousness.
“Russia has agreed to host or attend a bilateral summit with Zelenski. In the meantime, from the (media) I understand … that the Russian side now has a different interpretation, “the official said.
On the European side, diplomacy is now moving rapidly. The EU held an extraordinary ambassador meeting on Tuesday before the leaders’ telephone conference and a separate teleconference with the informal “alliance of willing”, which includes countries outside the EU, such as Turkey and Canada. This is exactly what is expected to meet a meeting of military leaders in Washington to discuss specific security guarantees for Ukraine. EU defense and foreign affairs ministers will also meet unofficially next week, as expectations are increasing that a specific peace proposal will be ready to present to Zelenski and Putin in about a week.
Trump has hinted that the US Air Force could be used in Ukraine, while European countries could develop troops to protect the country, all results that would contradict Russia’s ambitions to understand more territories. However, while western countries are increasingly confident that they can work with Trump and maintain a united front, they have also been forced to adjust their limits to satisfy him.
Following the talks in Washington, the EU appeared to relax Monday’s demand for Russia to accept a ceasefire before the negotiations began. “There was some hope that Trump could change his mind on the issue of ceasefire. This was not the case, “said a fifth diplomat, expressing his concern about the difference in positions. “However, overall it was a good step towards peace.”
Most important, however, is that even Trump himself publicly recognizes that Putin may not negotiate in good faith.
“We will learn about President Putin in the next two weeks … he is likely to not want to agree,” said the US president at Fox News. “I hope President Putin is good, and if not, it will be a difficult situation.”