Trump's potential role in resolving Ukraine-Russia talks
Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the President of Ukraine, claims that Donald Trump's presence in Istanbul could alter the outcome of talks with Russia. "If Trump were present in Istanbul, Putin would have no choice—he would have to fly to Turkey," Podolyak stated. "In such a gathering, Putin would also have to commit to something," he added.
What do you need to know?
- Negotiations in Istanbul: After the Ukrainian-Russian talks, a prisoner exchange was announced with a ratio of one thousand for one thousand. However, the primary objective, which was a ceasefire, was not achieved.
- Advisor to the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak believes that Russia is not genuinely interested in peace negotiations.
- The role of the USA: The United States, despite dissatisfaction with the progress of the talks, continues to advocate for the resumption of the negotiation process.
Could Trump's presence change the outcome of the talks?
Mykhailo Podolyak suggested that if Donald Trump appeared in Istanbul, Vladimir Putin would also have to attend the talks. Podolyak believes that Trump's presence could compel Putin to make specific commitments, such as agreeing to a ceasefire.
"If he agreed to a ceasefire, he would have to adhere to it. Breaking such agreements would be very costly for him. Putin was aware of this, which is why he stayed in Moscow," assessed Podolyak.
Why doesn't Russia want a ceasefire?
Podolyak emphasizes that Russia is not interested in genuine negotiations but is merely buying time. "Putin does not intend to stop the war," the advisor states.
Millions of people in Russia earn their livelihood from the war with Ukraine. Putin has directly involved about 2 to 3 million people in the war, and another 10 million Russians support it from the back end. Today, war is Putin's only offer to Russians—there is no alternative. Stopping the war could drastically change the situation in Russia, he explains.
What are Ukraine's next steps?
Despite the challenges, Ukraine continues negotiations because its partners, including the USA, are insisting on it. Podolyak notes that real negotiations can only begin after a ceasefire. "We need to act as a united front because we understand that without the support of Europe and the USA, we cannot handle this war," he added.
