Territories and Moscow Victory: Why Trump and Putin's meeting will weaken Ukraine's positions

According to sources of the agency, the Russian president expects to use the summit to delay possible sanctions from the US and promotion of his military goals. Analysts say that the Kremlin has achieved key concessions before the negotiations began: the summit will be held without the participation of President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky, which makes it impossible for a format that requires real tripartite agreements.

This will allow Moscow to propose conditions acceptable to Washington, but unacceptable for Kiev, translating responsibility for the breakdown of the peace process to the Ukrainian side. The choice of meeting place is also symbolic, the authors of the publication note. Alaska - the former territory of the Russian Empire - should emphasize that Putin is no longer in isolation after issuing a order of the International Criminal Court in 2023.

In fact, it will be the first visit of the Russian leader to the United States since 2007, not related to UN meetings. According to the German edition of Bild, Moscow is allegedly ready to discuss a truce in exchange for the transfer of territories that it does not yet control, in particular part of Donbass, as well as the possible withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions.

Formally, it is not about the exchange of territories, but about their transfer on a permanent basis in exchange for ceasefire, which, according to experts, may be temporary. The Kremlin can also offer a pause in the Air War, however, given the new opportunities of Ukraine in strikes in Russian military and energy facilities, this proposal is unlikely to be a significant assignment. Ukraine, according to analysts, understands that the end of the conflict may require territorial concessions.

However, in Kiev, the repetition of the temporary agreements, which enshrine the status quo, but do not resolve fundamental issues. In turn, Putin seeks not limited settlement, but consolidating control over demilitarized Ukraine and the recognition of the US Russian sphere of influence in Europe, which would make NATO intervention. Thus, in the conditions of insufficient preparation of the US side, a meeting on Alaska can play on the hand of Moscow.

Experts believe that an effective negotiation process requires longer preparation, as well as comprehensive pressure on Russia, both military and economic measures. "Indeed, if Trump wants to get out of negotiations as a wizard, not a weak person, his smartest step would be to postpone the summit until he is better prepared," the material reads.