Given Russia’s previous experience with the Minsk (one and two) agreements, and the manner in which comments are currently being made – from the EU, UK and now the US – regarding ‘peacekeepers’ in Ukraine… I fear yet another trap is being set for Putin of a similar nature.
Whilst the Russian negotiating team have yet to acquiesce to any ceasefire, freeze, or peacekeeping force – and are in the clear military ascendency – Putin has (self-admittedly) exhibited some past measure of naïveté and gullibility when it comes to the ‘guarantees’ of western signatories.
Trump recently shifted the weight of his comments along a far more mercenary path, forcing Zelenskyy to accept a cash-repayment (for US services rendered) via lucrative mineral extraction ‘deal’ thus opening the path for future US ‘investment’ in Ukraine and which gives Ukraine the ‘right to fight on’ (whatever that means).
Trump peacemaker or Trump extortionist?
And where does this leave the future prospect of a secure and lasting – even permanent – peace in Ukraine?
Early days, I suppose, when it comes to any 2025 negotiations… but given the accompanying ‘warwar not jawjaw’ stance of almost all western countries, the path to such a peace is still rocky.