The Kremlin recently praised Donald Trump’s new national security strategy, seeing it as a positive shift that aligns with their own views. This comes after a White House document criticized the EU, suggesting that Europe faces a risk of “civilisational erasure.” The U.S. is eager to improve relations with Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed the changes, noting that they reflect a vision similar to theirs. However, he cautioned that aspects of the U.S. government may oppose Trump’s approach.
As negotiations progress for a peace deal in Ukraine, officials claim they’re close to an agreement. Yet, it appears neither Ukraine nor Russia is ready to sign off on the proposed framework.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet in London with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Zelenskyy has often sought support from European allies, especially when U.S. proposals have asked Ukraine to surrender territory. A major concern for Ukraine is security guarantees related to any territorial concessions.
Recently, Zelenskyy spoke with U.S. officials following three days of discussions with a Ukrainian delegation in Florida. This conversation lasted about two hours and was described as challenging. On social media, Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s commitment to working towards peace, emphasizing crucial points to halt the conflict and prevent further Russian invasions.
However, there are doubts about whether the U.S. or Europe can provide security assurances strong enough to deter another Russian attack. It’s also unclear if President Vladimir Putin would allow any Western troops to be stationed in Ukraine.
Despite repeated claims from U.S. officials that a sustainable deal is near, many remain skeptical. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s outgoing envoy to Ukraine, mentioned that the administration is in the final stages of negotiations, with land disputes and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant still unresolved.
Kellogg has shown strong support for Ukraine, but his departure may shift perspectives within the administration. Trump’s son, Donald Jr., stirred controversy by suggesting that Zelenskyy was prolonging the conflict to maintain his power, stating that the U.S. would no longer fund the war without clear results.
Many analysts in Kyiv believe that while the situation is tough, Ukraine is not desperate enough to sign any deal to stop the war outright. A harsh winter looms as Russia targets energy infrastructure, threatening power and heating supplies for millions of Ukrainians.
As Ukraine faces its fourth winter of war, fatigue is setting in. Issues of corruption have also affected Zelenskyy’s administration, leading to the resignation of his chief of staff. Recently, a drone attack in the Chernihiv region left one person dead, while energy infrastructure in Kremenchuk suffered from a series of assaults, leaving many without power.
The ongoing conflict reflects a critical moment in history, where choices made now could shape the future of Ukraine and its relationships with global powers. As discussions continue, the stakes couldn’t be higher for all involved.
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