After Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky met at the Vatican, Western observers began to talk about the approaching ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine. According to The Telegraph, although a ceasefire seems closer than ever, it is unlikely to be a victory for Ukraine.
Columnist Richard Kemp emphasizes that at this stage, concessions from Ukraine are inevitable. Russia is winning a war of attrition, and Trump, even if he tries to pressure Putin, will not be ready to intervene decisively. Western Europe, according to the author, will also not support a military escalation, since it has neither the resources nor the political will.
According to the publication, Ukraine will be forced to negotiate on the basis of Trump's latest peace proposals, which involve the actual cession of a large part of the territories occupied by Russia.
At the same time, if a truce is concluded, Putin will have the opportunity to present the agreements to Russian society as his victory, regardless of the real scale of the losses and consequences for the Russian economy. Zelensky risks losing support in Ukraine by agreeing to such conditions.
According to the analyst, the outcome of the negotiations will be a signal of weakness for NATO and the West as a whole, which will be used not only by Russia, but also by other hostile regimes, in particular China and Iran.
Zelensky said after meeting with Trump that the discussion was “good” and that the Ukrainian side hopes for a “complete and unconditional ceasefire” and “lasting peace.” Trump, in his statement, expressed doubts about Putin’s willingness to end the war, threatening possible increased sanctions.
