Trump and Putin: Will negotiations become a reality? Analysis of new statements
13 January 15:52
US President-elect Donald Trump has said that preparations are underway for his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an exclusive commentary for
“Putin wants to meet, and we’re getting ready,” Trump said before a meeting with Republican governors at his estate in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.
He added that Putin has repeatedly publicly expressed his desire to hold talks and emphasized the need to end the war.
However, the exact date of this meeting has not yet been determined.
Earlier, Trump suggested that talks with Putin could take place during the first six months of his presidency.
In turn, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that there are no specific plans for a meeting between the two leaders, although Moscow welcomes Trump’s desire to engage in dialogue. Peskov emphasized that no preconditions would be required for such talks.
“If the political will to resume contacts at the highest level remains after he takes office, President Putin will only support this,” he said.
In an exclusive comment for
Trump-Putin meeting: reality or political maneuver?
Sahakian emphasized that Trump’s words do not mean that the meeting will take place in the near future.
“I did not hear Trump’s statement that the meeting will take place anytime soon. On the contrary, he indicates that the format of this meeting has not yet been determined,” the political analyst said.
He also explained that Trump is demonstrating a paradigm shift, where Russia, not he, is the initiator of the negotiations.
“Putin wants this meeting, and Trump says that he will try to end the war within six months,” Sahakian said.
Trump and his voters: revision of strategies and new approaches
According to the expert, Trump is gradually changing his rhetoric, expanding the timeframe for achieving peace and thus negating his previous ambitions.
“It seems that the Trump team has now realized that simple solutions do not work. Instead of ending the war quickly, they are taking more time to ‘marinate’ Putin,” Sahakian said.
The political analyst believes that Trump, based on his statements, is focused on a longer negotiation process, relying on the support of European partners. Sahakian also suggested that Trump may shift to a policy that focuses on supporting Ukraine.
“He will probably try to support Ukraine in such a way as to force Russia to the negotiating table, recognizing that they cannot win,” he said.
However, according to the expert, this does not mean a scenario of Ukraine’s victory, but it will probably lead to a halt to Russia’s ambitions. Sahakyan noted that Trump’s approach to helping Ukraine is significantly different from Biden’s policy, as Trump does not want to unconditionally support Ukraine. He proposes to provide assistance through a land package, not just “throwing money”.
“He wants the Europeans to take responsibility for training soldiers and providing security,” the political analyst explained.
According to Sahakian, this approach may become part of Trump’s strategy, as he will be able to position himself as a leader who supports Ukraine, but with control and restrictions.
Follow us on Telegram: the main news in brief
Negotiations with Putin: what Russia really wants
According to Sahakyan, negotiations with Russia are possible only if they are the best of the worst for the Kremlin.
“Putin does not need real negotiations. They can only become necessary if Russia finds itself in a catastrophic situation,” he said.
Otherwise, Russia will use the imitation of the negotiation process to split the Western coalition and gain time for rearmament. Sahakyan is also skeptical about the prospects of ending the war through peace talks.
“I do not believe that the war can be ended through negotiations from a position of goodwill. Negotiations are possible only from a position of strength, under pressure from the army,” he said.
The political scientist emphasized that, in his opinion, international law cannot provide real diplomacy today, as international institutions are not fulfilling their functions.
In addition, Sahakian noted that the negotiations, if they do begin, will put the United States in front of a constant choice: either to make concessions or to use force to put pressure on Russia. The political analyst adds that it will be the support of Ukraine by the United States and Europe that will be important, as it will become the basis for stable negotiations.
Follow us on Telegram: the main news in a nutshell
Sahakian believes that even if Trump chooses a policy of support for Ukraine, it is important to remember that he has his own political ambitions and electoral strategies that could affect the US policy towards the war in Ukraine.
“Trump is not Biden, and for his voters, this is a big difference. His position looks tougher and more pragmatic, which may bring him additional support,” the political analyst summarized.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also commented on a possible meeting between Trump and Putin, adding that preparations are underway for a contact between the newly elected US president and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
At the briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi noted that Trump had previously expressed his intention to meet with Putin, so these plans are not new to Ukraine.
“Our position is simple: we want a fair end to the war, and we see that Trump is also committed to ending the fighting,” Tikhiy said.
He also added that the main focus now is on preparations for the meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky after Trump’s inauguration.
Thus, Trump is demonstrating a gradual change in his rhetoric, moving away from the idea of ending the war quickly through direct talks with Putin. His strategy is focused on more time to reach a peace agreement and possible US support for Ukraine, but under conditions of control and restrictions. This does not mean a victory for Ukraine, but it is likely to stop Russia’s ambitions by forcing it to recognize that it cannot win.
Author: Daryna Glushchenko