Trump Faces European Charm Amidst Ukraine, Yet It's Putin Who Wields the Powerful Hand

In a series of significant meetings, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit in Alaska, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the White House. These meetings, aimed at discussing a potential trilateral meeting and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, have raised questions about the future of the region.

The response to Trump's mid-summit phone call to Moscow regarding the planned trilateral meeting was positive. This meeting, which is expected to involve Trump, Zelenskyy, and Putin, is planned to occur after the bilateral meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.

The Alaskan Trump-Putin meeting occurred on Friday, and the atmosphere was markedly different from the one-sided nature of the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in Washington. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, impassively withstood Trump's charm offensive at the military base in Anchorage. In contrast, Zelenskyy visited the White House dressed in a blazer-jacket, shirt with collar, trousers, and combat boots.

The discussions revolved around the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, particularly the Donbas region, not fully controlled by Russian troops. It is speculated that Putin may agree to give away control of this region in exchange for peace. If peace reigns, there's a possibility of Ukraine refining more Russian oil for itself and China for European customers.

However, the extent of Ukraine's potential sacrifices for peace will be known when Russia's territorial and other demands are presented in the bilateral meeting promoted by Trump. It is unclear whether Putin desires peace, but Trump's use of the phrase "divvying things up" could imply that Ukraine might have to divide its territory as a precondition for the guns to be silenced.

A peace deal, elusive due to Putin's intransigence, could lead to Ukraine holding fresh elections. If a peace treaty is concluded, it is Donald Trump who will meet in a planned three-way meeting with US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The summit of leaders has resulted in potential security guarantees for Ukraine, possibly including American troops on the ground. This could be significant for Ukraine, as Ukrainian dreams of joining Nato have been scuppered by Trump.

The Europeans have demonstrated a masterclass in dealing with an egotistical Trump. Their presence in Washington during Putin's attacks on Ukraine revealed his cynicism and absolute power.

If peace is achieved, the war's end could potentially allow India to find a way to address the Trump tariff trauma. India may face relief if the war ends and Russia becomes an acceptable entity for the Western world again.

In conclusion, the meetings in Alaska and Washington have set the stage for potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. The outcomes of these discussions will have far-reaching implications for Ukraine, Russia, and the global community. The road to peace may be long and fraught with challenges, but the hope for a peaceful resolution remains.

Trump Faces European Charm Amidst Ukraine, Yet It's Putin Who Wields the Powerful Hand