The Guardian view on Ukraine peace talks: Putin is taking Trump for another ride on the Kremlin carousel | Editorial
In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, recent developments underscore President Vladimir Putin’s unwavering stance toward negotiations, which he insists must favor Moscow’s interests. As the deadline set by Donald Trump for a peace agreement passed without resolution, the Kremlin’s approach became clearer. Mark Galeotti, a noted Russia expert, highlighted a revealing statement from Rossiyskaya Gazeta, a government publication, indicating that the Kremlin believes continuing hostilities grants it leverage in negotiations. The implication is clear: a cessation of fighting would diminish Russia’s position, leaving it vulnerable to unified international pressure. This perspective reveals that Putin is not seeking a genuine peace; rather, he aims for Ukraine’s capitulation and reintegration into Russia’s sphere of influence, whether through military force or a politically favorable deal.
Putin’s recent declarations further illustrate his intentions. He has reiterated demands for Ukraine to surrender additional territory in the eastern region, threatening military action if his demands are not met. His characterization of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration as “illegitimate” underscores a dismissive attitude toward Ukraine’s sovereignty and governance. This rhetoric not only complicates the potential for meaningful dialogue but also suggests that any future agreements would be viewed by Russia as non-binding, further entrenching the conflict. The article argues that the most effective path to a just resolution lies in equipping Ukraine with the resources necessary to continue its defense, thereby reinforcing its sovereignty and negotiating position. In essence, the article posits that true peace can only emerge when Ukraine is empowered to resist Russian aggression, challenging the Kremlin’s narrative and demands.
Russia’s president is only interested in a deal on Moscow’s terms. Equipping Kyiv with the resources to fight on is the quickest route to a just settlement
As Donald Trump’s Thanksgiving Day deadline for a Ukraine peace agreement came and went this week, the Russia expert Mark Galeotti
pointed
to a telling indicator of how the Kremlin is treating the latest flurry of White House diplomacy. In the government paper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, a foreign policy scholar close to Vladimir Putin’s regime bluntly observed: “As long as hostilities continue, leverage remains. As soon as they cease, Russia finds itself alone (we harbour no illusions) in the face of coordinated political and diplomatic pressure.”
Mr Putin has no interest in a ceasefire followed by talks where Ukraine’s rights as a sovereign nation would be defended and reasserted. He seeks the capitulation and reabsorption of Russia’s neighbour into Moscow’s orbit. Whether that is achieved through battlefield attrition, or through a Trump-backed deal imposed on Ukraine, is a matter of relative indifference. On Thursday, the Russian president
reiterated
his demand that Ukraine surrender further territory in its east, adding that the alternative would be to lose it through “force of arms”. Once again, he described Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government as “illegitimate”, and questioned the legally binding nature of any future agreement.
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