US and Russian leaders Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin could meet as early as next week to discuss a possible peace deal over the war in Ukraine. However, according to The Wall Street Journal, their positions remain distant and the prospect of a truce looks unlikely.
According to the publication, Trump called on Putin to end the war, but showed little interest in the details of the agreements. The Kremlin, for its part, is ready to consider only conditions favorable to Russia.
Analysts warn that the meeting with Putin will be one of the most difficult tests for Trump in his presidential term. Alina Polyakova, president of the Center for European Policy Analysis, emphasizes that for Putin, the war in Ukraine is more important than relations with the United States, and he does not necessarily seek real peace.
Fears in the US and Europe are also related to the fact that Putin may use the negotiations to stall for time, rather than seek a compromise. According to WSJ sources, the Russian leader may offer to keep part of the occupied territories under Russian control in exchange for the withdrawal of troops from other regions of Ukraine. Such a scheme is likely to be rejected by Kyiv and most European capitals, but Trump may pressure allies to accept it.
Officials believe that if the deal fails, Trump could shift the blame to Ukraine and cut off intelligence and military support, as he did earlier this year. This could leave the diplomatic process without U.S. involvement, which would be beneficial to the Kremlin.
Still, Trump's inner circle is convinced he will continue to seek a deal that could be the most important achievement of his presidency. "He wants to be a deal-maker. That's his brand," said former senior White House aide Marc Short.
