Failure to Achieve Ceasefire Marks Alaska Talks
The lack of results following talks in Alaska — primarily an agreement to ceasefire — is more a relief for Ukrainians and Europeans than a cause for despair, reports 24brussels.
David E. Sanger, a correspondent for The New York Times, emphasizes that the greatest fear for Ukraine and Europe was that the U.S. President might concede territory, forcing Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to make a painful choice between forfeiting over 20% of his country’s land or rejecting a peace deal.
“Zelensky may indeed be compelled to make this choice. However, Trump left Alaska earlier than scheduled, failing to achieve even the simplest initial step: a temporary ceasefire that would allow further negotiations,” Sanger noted. “This outcome, as he told reporters earlier on Friday, is one that ‘does not satisfy’ him.”
Nevertheless, Trump’s conduct with the dictator raised concerns across the board, including for Zelensky. The fact that the presidents did not answer journalists’ questions indicates that there was little to discuss.
“There were no public discussions regarding secondary sanctions against countries buying Russian oil. Previously set deadlines introduced by Trump, including one that passed last week, for Russia to secure a lasting ceasefire are now absent,” Sanger reports. “With smiles, handshakes, and an in-person meeting, Putin washed away Trump’s discussions of ‘serious consequences’ should the meeting conclude without a cessation of hostilities.”
Putin also achieved a significant goal at the Alaska summit: he stepped out of the category of autocrats subject to sanctions. Trump treated him as if he were a peacemaker, allowing the Kremlin leader to buy time without any concessions on his part.
“It remains unclear how long this will hold, but it was impressive diplomacy that lasted less than four hours on American soil,” Sanger added.
Former Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, Volodymyr Yelchenko, believes that Trump will certainly continue to participate in negotiations for a while, although the outcomes of such engagement may vary. Nevertheless, following Alaska, he promised at least a “trilateral summit,” so he is now obliged to follow through on that commitment.
