The Vision of U.S. President Donald Trump
"[Volodymyr Zelenskyy derailed negotiations to end the war in Ukraine while a peace deal was] very close.""It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s [his refusal to surrender Crimea to Russia's territorial expansion] that makes it so difficult to settle this War.""We have to get a deal with Zelenskyy. I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy. So far, it’s been harder."U.S. President Donald Trump"We conveyed our position and emphasized that an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire must be the first step toward launching negotiations aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace."We expressed hope that this aligns with the vision of President Donald Trump."Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak"It’s important that each side was not just a participant but contributed meaningfully.""The American side shared its vision. Ukraine and other Europeans presented their inputs.""There’s nothing to talk about here, [allowing Russia to retain Crimea after its annexation cannot be countenanced]. This is against our constitution.”"And we hope that it is exactly such joint work that will lead to lasting peace."Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
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"I think it will be extraordinarily difficult, bordering on political suicide, for him [Zelenskyy] to commit to paper on things like giving up Crimea.""Ukraine is not going to recapture Crimea anytime soon. Ukraine is unlikely to be a NATO member anytime soon.""There might be some formulation [of a deal] that effectively kicks those into the long grass. The terms of any deal at the moment are not going to be particularly favorable to Ukraine."Matthew Savill, director of military sciences, Royal United Services Institute, London
The
meeting on Wednesday last of Ukrainian and European officials in
London, faced with a fast-moving and uncompromising U.S. proposal that
Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea be recognized and the front lines
be frozen as part of a peace agreement, can hardly be considered in
Ukraine's favour; rather the aggressor nation that without cause invaded
Ukraine and for years has been butchering its infrastructure, while
moving ever closer to the territorial advantages it plans on, is being
rewarded by the U.S. administration.
Donald
Trump wants it all his way and he wants it NOW. While in essence,
patting Vladimir Putin on the back for doing a good job as a major
aggressor, tyrannizing Russia while clobbering Ukraine with its larger
military and greater military arms, causing deaths on both sides, using
tactics clearly in defiance of international norms, it is Russia who
will walk away with the smug assurance that its underhanded and illegal
tactics served it well, while Ukraine will be sent home to nurse its
grievances, left to the wolves.
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Apartment block in Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia after deadly Russian missile attack |
The
best that Ukraine's allies could hope for was to assure security
guarantees and reconstruction programs for Ukraine in exchange for
territorial concessions demanded of the world's superpower. A superpower
that manipulated Ukraine to convince it to sign an agreement handing
over its rare minerals to enhance the technological future of the United
States in its race with China for rare earth minerals needed for
communications systems, electric vehicle production and the advanced
development of artificial intelligence. Ostensibly obligated to sign
over its natural resources to 'pay' for the billions in military goods
received from the U.S.
Washington
is prepared to formally recognize annexed Crimea as legitimate Russian
territory, and to lift sanctions under a future accord. In turn, Moscow
would end hostilities in Ukraine even while it has the battlefield
momentum and considerable advantages in troop strength and weaponry.
Ukraine is under great strain, with the pressure piled on it by American
expectations that its territorial sovereignty determination be brought
to heel. Kyiv anxious not to displease Washington, yet at the same time,
insistent on the dignity of its sovereign rights.
French,
German and British negotiators have actively involved themselves in the
peace talks, hoping to press Ukraine's case that any deal include
security guarantees and postwar reconstruction programs. In the best
possible scenario, reconstruction to be paid for out of frozen Russian
assets which amount to some $300 billion. At the same time and however
reluctantly, both European and Ukrainian authorities privately
acknowledge that it is unlikely Kyiv could regain control of the
Ukrainian territories Russia has co-opted.
"There is concern that Trump is trying to push the Ukrainians and hasn't been tough enough on Russia.""The ultimate question now is, what does Ukraine get in exchange for giving up part of its territory?"Mujtaba Rahman, managing director, Eurasia Group
The
American proposal presented in an outline in talks last week in Paris
is recognized by Ukrainians as Washington's final offer prior to a
decision to leave the peace process. The sudden turnabout by the United
States through President Trump's accommodation with Russia and his cavalier treatment of Ukraine has left little room for Kyiv to manoeuvre even as Moscow cleverly manipulates the U.S. presenting itself as the true arbiter of a peace process, and Ukraine reluctant to sue for peace.
States through President Trump's accommodation with Russia and his cavalier treatment of Ukraine has left little room for Kyiv to manoeuvre even as Moscow cleverly manipulates the U.S. presenting itself as the true arbiter of a peace process, and Ukraine reluctant to sue for peace.
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President Donald J Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office at the White House on Friday, Feb 28, 2025 (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images) |
"The downgrading is significant] in view of Zelenskyy's rejection of Russia's maintaining control of Crimea as part of any deal].""[Rubio and Witkoff's absence] suggests that Washington is increasingly disinterested in drawn-out, multilateral negotiations.""This is not just about diplomacy fatigue. It also signals a hard pivot: The U.S. is not positioning itself as a neutral mediator."Bence Németh, senior lecturer, defense studies department, King’s College London
Labels: Annexation of Crimea, Bullying Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian Invasion of Ukraine, Russian Territorial Advantage, U.S. President Donald Rump
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