Unlocking the Secrets: Why Trump’s Gaza Breakthrough Shines While Ukraine Remains Stalemated with Putin

Reports of a possible summit between the U.S. and Russia have fizzled out. After Donald Trump expressed a desire to meet with President Vladimir Putin soon, the plans are now indefinitely on hold. Even a preliminary meeting between top diplomats has been called off.

“I don’t want a wasted meeting,” Trump said at the White House. This ongoing saga reflects Trump’s attempts to find solutions for the war in Ukraine, a topic he recently shifted focus to following a ceasefire deal in Gaza.

Trump brought up the urgency of addressing the Ukraine situation with Steve Witkoff, his chief diplomat, during a speech in Egypt last week. But making headway in Ukraine is a different ballgame compared to Gaza, which was resolved amid specific conditions.

Witkoff noted that Israel’s aggressive moves against Hamas in Qatar gave the U.S. leverage. In that situation, Trump’s long-standing support for Israel enhanced his negotiating power. Contrastingly, in the Ukraine conflict, his influence is considerably weaker. Recently, he has gone back and forth, pressuring both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but with little to show for it.

Trump has threatened new sanctions against Russia and promised support to Ukraine. However, he’s also cautious about how these actions could affect the global economy and escalate the conflict. Public statements from Trump criticizing Zelensky have added to the tension, leading to a temporary cut-off of intelligence sharing with Ukraine. But he quickly reversed this after warnings from European allies about the instability a Ukrainian collapse could bring.

Despite his claims of a negotiator’s knack, Trump’s meetings with both leaders haven’t brought any progress. In fact, Putin might be playing into Trump’s belief in direct negotiations. For instance, a planned summit in July coincided with Trump facing Congressional pressure for sanctions against Russia, only to see that legislative action stall shortly after.

With all that said, the dynamics of the Ukraine conflict seem less favorable for a swift resolution. Recently, as interest in long-range military support wavered for Ukraine, Russia’s interest in diplomacy also dropped markedly. Trump has shifted from discussing military aid to proposing a ceasefire that Russia finds unacceptable.

During his campaign, Trump asserted he could end the war rapidly. Now, he admits it’s proving more challenging than expected, showcasing the limits of his influence.

In terms of public sentiment, people on social media express frustration over stalled diplomatic efforts, with many believing a resolution is far off. A recent survey found that over 60% of Americans worry about the ongoing war and its implications, emphasizing the urgency for effective action.

Ultimately, this situation highlights how complicated international relations can be, especially when both sides are entrenched in their positions. The need for diplomacy is evident, but the path to peace remains fraught with challenges.



Source link