During the presidential election, Donald Trump announced as one of his spearheads that he could quickly end the Russia-Ukraine war. Until now, no breakthrough has been realized. But there may be significant steps today. On a former Cold War Basis in Alaska, an important political encounter is planned that can determine the course of the war in Ukraine.
Trump and Putin keep Zelenskiy offside
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meet each other physically since Trump returned to the White House. Their goal is to realize a truce in Ukraine that can freeze the conflict. The meeting takes place in Alaska, a rare visit from Putin on American soil.
It is striking that the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zenskiy has not been invited. This causes unrest in KYIV and with European allies. They fear that Trump wants to make concessions that amount to recognition of Russian control over around 20 percent of Ukrainian territory.
According to sources around the Kremlin, Russia is prepared for a compromise: a freezing of the front line in exchange for stopping further NATO expansion and partial lifting of Western sanctions. Putin also hints on a new nuclear arms control agreement, since the current Convention will expire in February next year.
Trump says that, if the conversation with Putin goes well, he quickly wants to set up a triangular meeting with Zenskiy. However, Ukraine sets hard conditions. They do not want a formal distance from their territory and they also want strong security guarantees, preferably with American support.
Putin continues to demand that Ukrainian troops withdraw from parts of Donetsk, Zaporizja and Herson, and that Kyiv remains officially neutral.
Tensions and distrust
The ceasefire plans encounter skepticism. President Zelenskiy emphasizes that Putin has broken his word time and time again. For example, the Russian leader once stated that he had no plans to invade Ukraine, but shortly thereafter he annexed Crimea. Later another promise followed, namely ‘no large -scale invasion’. Nevertheless, the full attack began in 2022.
According to Kyiv, there is every reason not to trust Putin at his word. Even if Ukraine gives up area in exchange for a file, Zenskiy fears that Russia will strike again in the future.
The financial markets hope for progress in the conflict. After all, clarity is the most important for investors. The course of Bitcoin (BTC) is in any case still badly damaged by the high American inflation figures of yesterday, but could greatly benefit from a positive breakthrough in Alaska.
Source: https://newsbit.nl/politieke-spanning-vanavond-trump-ontmoet-poetin-over-oekraine/
