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 have highlighted the stark contrast between the Kremlin’s ambitions and the West’s diplomatic efforts. As the deadline set by former President Donald Trump for a peace agreement passed without resolution, experts like Mark Galeotti have pointed out that Russia is using the current hostilities as leverage in negotiations. A recent commentary in Rossiyskaya Gazeta, a publication aligned with the Russian government, emphasized that as long as fighting continues, Russia holds a strategic advantage. The implication is clear: once hostilities cease, Moscow would face increased political and diplomatic pressure from the international community, which could undermine its aggressive objectives.
President Vladimir Putin’s stance reveals a desire for a peace deal that favors Russian interests, specifically the capitulation and reabsorption of Ukraine into its sphere of influence. Rather than seeking a ceasefire that would allow for meaningful talks respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty, Putin has made it evident that he demands further territorial concessions from Kyiv. In his latest statements, he reiterated that Ukraine must surrender additional eastern territories or face military consequences. By labeling the Ukrainian government as “illegitimate” and questioning the validity of any agreements reached, Putin signals a willingness to pursue aggressive tactics to achieve his goals, regardless of international norms or the rights of Ukraine as a sovereign nation.
The article argues that the most effective way to reach a just settlement is to equip Ukraine with the necessary resources to continue its defense against Russian aggression. Supporting Kyiv militarily not only strengthens its position on the battlefield but also enhances its bargaining power in any future negotiations. The suggestion is that a strong, resilient Ukraine is crucial to counteract Russia’s demands and to ensure any peace agreement respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the need for a coordinated response from the West remains critical in supporting Ukraine’s fight for independence and stability in the region.
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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