The escalation of the situation in Ukraine and the ongoing war with Russia are becoming a serious challenge for the administration of US President Donald Trump. Despite the desire of the White House to focus on domestic and other international issues, the conflict in Eastern Europe continues to remain in the center of world attention. At the same time, there are suggestions that Moscow may put forward demands for amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine, in particular on issues of territorial integrity.
This was stated on Radio Liberty by the former Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Vadym Prystaiko.
Speaking about what Trump's plan is, he noted that the war in Ukraine "does not fit into their scheme of showdowns around the world" and "prevents the Trump administration from focusing on issues of China, the South Asian region.".
“In general, leave Europe, solve your own issues. And so, at first, the following thesis is put forward: “Let me solve everything in 24 hours.” When this does not happen, the problem begins to deepen to the first level… That is, the second option is made. And they see what the reaction from Ukraine and Russia will be,” Prystaiko said.
According to him, now is the stage when the first offers have been made to Ukraine and it is showing that they do not suit it.
Responding to a question about concessions that could be expected from Ukraine, the former minister noted that he was concerned that "our territorial concessions are constantly mentioned during these conversations.".
“First of all, it is unpleasant to hear, because it is exactly against how Ukraine imagines a just peace… It is definitely against world international law,” he noted.
In addition, Prystaiko emphasized that it is not clear how this will help Ukraine "get out of the conflict.".
“Even if we imagine that Russia needs these lands… They already have so many lands that have fallen into disrepair, and they don’t know what to do with them. Moreover, it only gives them more appetite. Because they already own this land. Legalizing this “acquisition” doesn’t cost them so much to just take it and stop the war,” the ambassador said.
He added that Ukraine has an obvious “opportunity to stop the war at least where it is now and defend what is considered Ukraine.”.
When asked how Washington could expect Ukraine to legally or technically formalize something like this – literally write off Russian territories or “freeze” the front and accept Russian control of these territories – Prystaiko expressed the opinion that “as of today, there is no clear understanding by the administration of what document will be signed.”.
At the same time, he noted, "Putin imagines this," who, according to the former minister, will want to make the changes to the Constitution of Ukraine that the Russians demand.
“Rejection of regions, recognition of many things. This is really a very unpleasant mechanism that will be pushed towards. And I am afraid that the Russian Federation will directly declare to the American administration: “We want to see changes to territorial integrity in the Ukrainian Constitution.” Will the Ukrainian people and Ukrainian leaders have the strength to say “no” – we will see very soon,” Prystaiko said.
Trump and the war in Ukraine
Earlier, Theodoras Roussopoulos, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, said that he believes that Trump can lead "to finding a solution or at least to finding a common path for dialogue" regarding the war in Ukraine.
According to Rousopoulos, Trump “as a businessman is ready to do everything very quickly,” and he has already “played a decisive role in the Middle East and in the release of some of the hostages.”.
