The Guardian view on Russia-Ukraine talks: a performance for the US president | Editorial
R.he The first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine For three years it should have been an important occasion. Since 2022, Russian war crimes have deepened the gap between them. However, Donald Trump, who demanded this meeting, confirmed that he was largely a skill when it was He said Correspondents: “Nothing will happen until Putin and I are together.” She made it clear that Russia did not feel pressure to cooperate.
While difficult negotiations often begin to terrain it is easier, the group swap of the collective prisoner seemed to be a separate achievement. The true importance of Istanbul talks lies in its essence, one of the messages that they sent the list of their existence and presence.
The hasty proposal of direct conversations was the way to escape from Vladimir Putin after European leaders Talib Russia Conditions for a 30 -day unlawful ceasefire, or to face increasing penalties and transfer weapons. Ukraine and its supporters said that there should not be meetings without a ceasefire, but Kiev had to waive when Mr. Trump Insist Share. The painful experience has learned that it does not pay for the challenge of the American president.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy re -proposal to the Russian President Challenge to attend the talks Personally, he pledged to wait for him in Türkiye. This was, A Ukrainian official said, “A theatrical performance of only one audience member”, reinforces a message that Mr. Putin is an obstacle to peace.
Mr. Putin avoids meeting. Russia was It represents it National ideology, Vladimir Medinski and Alexander Vasilific Fatemin, a veteran military and diplomat According to what was reported, the Ukrainians were told In recent talks, if they refuse to surrender, “we will continue to kill and inform you.” Moscow approach It didn’t seem more diplomatic This time: Ukraine said that Russia has expressed “unacceptable” things.
Mr. Zellinski was skilled in photographing the non -presence of the Russian leader as a “lack of respect for Trump.” There is evidence of some frustration with Moscow in Washington. JD Vance He recently said that he “asked for a lot”Mr. Trump was previously Proposal He was “very angry, angry” with Mr. Putin. Lindsey Graham, a major ally of Trump, says he has sufficient support from the Senate to pass new “devastating” sanctions. But he described his bill as part of the president’s arsenal, and it is unlikely to launch Mr. Trump. However, Mr. Putin will need to make sure that he does not overcome his hand, given the inability to predict Mr. Trump. Although Mr. Putin may believe that the recycling of the conflict is currently in the interests of Russia, the war is not free of cost for his country.
The recent amazing narrative transformations revealed greater coordination and solution by Europe. (Germany this week Declare The matter will reach Mr. Trump’s request for defensive spending to reach 5 % of GDP by 2032, albeit through the inclusion of relevant infrastructure). Certainly, the main question does not remain whether the American president can be persuaded and insulted to be more useful, but whether he could become an active obstacle – cutting intelligence or solidity, or preventing Europe from buying weapons for Ukraine. As such, Mr. Trump’s observation that “nothing will happen” until Mr. Putin meets it seems more shredded. Meanwhile, outside the diplomatic theater, Russian attacks continued on Friday: another evidence of the urgent need for a ceasefire.
