The recent summit in Switzerland has become an occasion for important reflections and changes in Ukraine's foreign policy, especially in the context of its relations with Russia. French diplomat and geopolitician, former French ambassador to Russia Jean de Gliniasty, in an interview for La Dépêche, considered the sudden change in mood of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the first "peace summit", which, according to him, was not crowned with success.
The first summit in Switzerland, which was not particularly successful, forced Ukraine to "restrain its ambitions": today Zelensky understands that he is "under great time pressure," whether on the battlefield or in politics.
According to the expert, Zelensky's situation is now difficult from all sides. On the front line, the Armed Forces of Ukraine "feel a lack of people and remain in a difficult situation." In addition, according to de Gliniasti, "the Russified" Donbas is practically impossible for Kyiv to recapture.".
On the world stage, the situation for Ukraine is no better: "Zelensky wants to act quickly because he is afraid like the plague of the victory of Donald Trump and his Vice President J.D. Vance, who is even more isolationist and intends to curtail American support for Europe," the diplomat explains.
However, the more necessary the negotiations become for Zelensky, the less interested Russia becomes in them, notes de Gliniasti. Moscow understands perfectly well that a Trump victory will only play into its hands. Moreover, “the Russians have no desire to be ‘invited’ to the conference – they believe that when the time comes, the negotiations will be conducted directly,” the expert emphasizes.
