In a one-two with his defense minister, Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the conversations about ending the war in Ukraine with Vladimir Putin started. Kyiv fears that a file will be spoken without Ukraine. Zensky is not informed about conversations between the White House and the Kremlin, he states in an interview with The Economist. He reads it just like everyone else, in the media.
Undominated Minister of Defense Pete Hegseeth broke for cameras on Wednesday afternoon and in microphones with the American ‘As long as it takes-position compared to the defense of Ukraine. “This is my first time at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and I am honored,” began Minister Pete Hegseeth. “Our message is clear: the bloodshed must stop and the war must be over.” Hegseeth promised to end the war in a diplomatic way. Then the bomb falls: “But we must start by acknowledging that restoring Ukrainian borders of 2014 is an unrealistic purpose.”
Zelensky has previously acknowledged that the occupied areas cannot be recovered militarily. He did, however, promise his population a diplomatic reunification. In the interview with The Economist He argued that the West will force Ukraine to make too many commitments: “Sitting at the table with the murderer Putin is already a huge compromise.”
There is no ‘ready -made’ peace plan, Zensky stated in the same interview. “That is not possible, if no one has consulted Ukraine.” The aim of the Kremlin is to keep the Ukrainians outside the negotiations, Zensky warns. “As soon as Putin is left alone with Trump, whether their teams are alone, the White House receives manipulative information.”
Security guarantees
Hegseeth spoke about the need for security guarantees, but ended the Ukrainian dream in NATO membership. “The United States, don’t believe,” said Hegseeth, with the emphasis on not, “that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a file.” Instead, he suggested that a European and non-European peace mission must be stationed that does not enjoy NATO article-5: an attack on one, is an attack on all.
The Ukrainian government remains stoic. Ever since Trump won the elections, President Zensky, among others, has been doing everything to show that there is talk to Kyiv. “I am grateful to President Trump for his interest in what we can achieve together,” wrote President Volodyymyr Zensky on Telegram in a first reaction after it was announced that Trump had spoken with Putin. “Ukraine would rather than anyone else. We determine our joint steps with America to stop Russian aggression. ”
There is no panic in Ukraine. The inhabitants have been hunted for three years by Russian destruction and projectiles and are aware of their difficult situation. There is cynicism. Historical comparisons rains on social media. Such as Munich, 1938. Wearing the fear that Putin, just like Hitler at the time, will be rewarded after the violation of Ukrainian territorial integrity, will be rewarded and will proceed to further area expansion.
“So we have to give up our national territory, never swear to NATO regardless of what Russia does to us and Donald Trump also give our rare earth metals?” Writes Defense journalist Illja Ponomarenko on social media, referring to Trump’s proposal to Ukrainian Natural resources to exchange to earn back military support. “That is a very interesting deal between an aggressor and a partner who would give us safety aid.”
‘Great History’
On his Truth Social, Trump wrote that he had called Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We both reflected on the great history of our nations [sic] And the fact that we successfully fought together in the Second World War, remembering that Russia has lost tens of millions of people. “
That statement also did not go well in Ukraine, where it is generally known that relatively more Ukrainians and white-spots died in the fight against the Germans. More Russians died in absolute numbers. “Both of my grandfathers fought in the Red Army,” says political scientist Ihor Rejterovytsj by telephone. “Then it is not pleasant if they only speak of huge Russian losses. But that probably says more about the level of Trumps history training. “
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Political scientist Ihor Rejterovytsj urges by telephone not to draw conclusions too quickly. “We have not heard any specific details yet. And let’s not forget that, although Russia can talk about negotiations and the like, it currently has no control over part of his own territory, “he says, referring to the Ukrainian military presence in the Koersk region. “That is a factor that must be taken into account, which can be played in favor of Ukraine.” For example, he mentions the occupied nuclear reactor in Zaporizja as something that Ukraine would like to return.
As far as the other is concerned, Rejterovytsj says “It is unlikely that we will see a solution that will fully satisfy Ukraine.” He states that a large part of Ukraine will remain occupied, but hopes that the area will certainly not be internationally recognized as Russian.
Rejterovysj is surprised by the role that Trump plays, by already making concessions on behalf of Ukraine. “I don’t think that makes him a strong leader. That makes him the bait, not the leader in this duo with Putin. Perhaps his advisers are unable to make this clear in him. “