Playing for time will allow Putin to avoid the US proposal outright rebellion. To do this, there will be a huge gamble for the Russian President. Trump has already proved the desire to put maximum pressure on Ukraine – and he feels that he has found his way.
Next to the US-Ukraine meeting at Jeddah, it was also clear that it would force Moscow to accept the end of the fight in Ukraine in Russia. Both these stages – pressure on Ukraine and Russia – are part of a part of Trump’s special Ukraine messenger Kith Kelog of Trump to be part of a part developed back in May 2024.
Seriously, Kelog also “continued to divide Ukraine and strengthened its defense to make no further progress to Russia and would not attack again after a ceasefire or peace agreement”.
If Putin rejected the current proposal, he not only put the wide reset of US-Russia relations at risk, but possibly loses the benefits of his current battlefield, as well as Moscow currently controls the region. This is because promoting Ukrainian military capabilities will probably be transferred to the balance of power, at least on parts of the front line.
The peculiar set-ups of the talks also play in the hands of Kremlin. Lack of direct interaction between Kiev and Moscow, Washington is to shuttle between them, trying to close the gaps between its positions with a mixture of diplomacy and pressure. It has worked quite well with Ukraine till now, but it is very rare that this approach will give the same fruit with Russia.
Currently, the temporary ceasefire on the table may or may not be an important step towards a permanent termination of violence and a permanent peace agreement. Will it become a milestone on the path of peace, will depend on Trump’s desire to pressurize Russia in the same way as Ukraine.
It is important to remember that Ukraine has already paid a large price as a result of Russia’s aggression. Any delay on the way for a peace, instead of aggressive, more pain will be provoked on the victim.
(Stephen Wolf is a professor of International Security, Professor at the University of Birmingham. Tettena is a professor of international relations, Jean Monet Professor of European Security, National University Odess Law Academy. Read original article,
