The last summit in Switzerland became an occasion for important reflections and changes in Ukraine's foreign policy, especially in the context of its relations with Russia. French diplomat and geopolitical scientist, former French ambassador to Russia Jean de Gliniasti, in an interview for La Dépêche, discussed the sudden change of mood of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the first "peace summit", which, according to him, was not successful.
The first summit in Switzerland, which was not particularly successful, forced Ukraine to "restrain its ambitions": today Zelenskyi understands that he is "under great time pressure", be it the battlefield or politics.
According to the expert, Zelensky's situation is now difficult from all sides. At the front, the Armed Forces "feel a lack of people and remain in a difficult situation." In addition, according to de Gliniasti, the "Russified" Donbas is almost impossible for Kyiv to win back."
On the world stage, the situation for Ukraine is no better: "Zelensky wants to act quickly, because he is like the plague afraid of the victory of Donald Trump and his vice president JD Vance, who is even more isolationist and intends to curtail American support for Europe," the diplomat explains.
However, the more necessary negotiations become for Zelensky, the less interested Russia becomes in them, de Gliniasti notes. Moscow perfectly understands that Trump's 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.
