Trump given diplomatic tool by Ukraine: Expert predicts no Zelenskyy–Putin meeting soon
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin (photo: RBC-Ukraine collage)
A meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently impossible. Unlike Ukraine, the Kremlin is simply not ready for such a meeting, historian and diplomat Roman Bezsmertnyi said.
According to the expert, the idea of the meeting is the right "tactical instrument" in the hands of Ukraine and the United States. Bezsmertnyi emphasized that Trump has already played this instrument.
"And we see that Trump (US President Donald Trump – ed.) has already played it, he stepped back, he said 'no' (referring to the retracted demand that before meeting with Trump, the Russian President must meet with Zelenskyy – ed.). And this instrument was given to him by Ukraine," the expert explained.
Bezsmertnyi also noted that this means that for the first time a sense of "we" – implying unity – has emerged between Ukraine, Europe, and the United States. It would be very bad if this unity were to collapse.
The meeting between the US president and the Russian President, meanwhile, will be tied to the actions of Putin himself. This means, according to Bezsmertnyi, that it will happen not soon. US sanctions will most likely also be tied to what Putin will or will not do.
"There will be steps – sanctions will be pushed back, but not lifted. There will be no steps – sanctions will be tightened. In this regard, the authorities should act in exactly the same way about the meeting. It may happen, or it may not. As for our side – there should be a completely different position here," he explained.
Bezsmertnyi added that in the current situation, a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin cannot take place.
"This is the case when the blame lies with the Kremlin. Because Zelenskyy is ready for the meeting, but the Kremlin is not ready; it cannot allow this meeting," the expert concluded.
According to media reports, Trump and Putin may meet as early as next week. It is likely that this could happen on Monday, August 11. Rome is one of the possible venues for the meeting.
Putin himself said on August 7 that a meeting with Trump could take place in the United Arab Emirates. Experts believe it is unlikely that the Russian President will fly to Europe for negotiations.
