Putin's partial ceasefire outplays Trump in Ukraine talks
Vladimir Putin used his leverage over Donald Trump by agreeing only to a partial ceasefire in Ukraine. Dr. Jamie Shea, a former NATO official, assesses that Putin came out ahead in the first round of talks.
Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, effectively exploited a situation in which U.S. President Donald Trump needed quick results. Putin only agreed to a partial ceasefire, which means fighting in Ukraine will continue. Dr. Jamie Shea, a former high-ranking NATO official, emphasized in a conversation with PAP that the phone call on Tuesday did not end successfully for Trump.
Trump pressed for a 30-day total and unconditional truce, claiming to be making significant progress. Instead, Putin agreed only to the bare minimum: a ceasefire that pertains only to attacks on energy infrastructure, much of which Russia has already destroyed, stated the former NATO official.
Shea notes that Russia currently feels it holds the upper hand, and Putin conditions a full ceasefire on meeting additional demands, such as ceasing military aid to Ukraine. "Trump now knows that he does not have the power to quickly end the war (...) but, as is typical for Trump, he will try to present this in a positive light," Shea said.
Despite these difficulties, Kyiv has improved relations with Washington by agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire. Shea emphasizes that Ukraine cannot be blamed for the modest negotiation outcomes. If Russia indeed halts attacks on infrastructure, Ukraine will be able to repair parts of its electrical grid.
Challenges for Trump
Trump faces the challenge of achieving a full ceasefire without concessions to Russia. Shea points out that Trump will need to find a way to pressure Putin to abandon his maximalist stance. Additionally, normalizing relations with Moscow will be difficult if Putin remains inflexible.
“By giving the minimum, Putin avoided humiliating Trump and kept him engaged in peace talks, even if they do not lead anywhere quickly. However, Trump will have to face significant issues," stated Shea, as quoted by PAP.
Dr. Jamie Shea, former NATO spokesperson, emphasizes that the first round of negotiations favored Putin, who leveraged Trump's urgency for quick results. The question remains, whether Trump can achieve a fair and lasting peace. Shea, now affiliated with the University of Exeter and the think tank Chatham House, underscores that the situation requires further action and a thoughtful strategy.
