Trump risks triggering another war in Ukraine - The Telegraph
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
Attempts by the United States to accelerate the conclusion of an agreement between Russia and Ukraine could unintentionally create conditions for a new escalation of the conflict, according to The Telegraph.
Read also: Starmer calls Trump to discuss Ukraine
US President Donald Trump has sent his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to a new round of talks in Abu Dhabi scheduled for February 3–4. The stated goal of the meetings is to reach any kind of agreement between Moscow and Kyiv.
At the same time, discussions are focused on territorial issues, specifically the status of parts of the Donetsk region that the Russian army has failed to capture during nearly four years of a full-scale invasion.
Kremlin interests
According to the publication, Vladimir Putin is seeking at the talks to obtain what he failed to achieve on the battlefield.
"But this is still not enough for Putin. He insists not only on keeping what he currently has, but also on getting more," the outlet notes.
Experts warn that conceding these territories to Russia could create conditions for a new military campaign.
Implications for Ukraine
The territories of the Donetsk region are strategically important due to dense defensive infrastructure around Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
Handing these positions over to the Kremlin could allow the Russian army to build up forces and plan a new invasion.
At the same time, analysts believe that Trump and Witkoff are not fully taking into account Moscow’s long-term objectives.
Potential scenarios
If the Ukrainian side agrees to concessions, this would give Russia an opportunity to prepare for the next phase of the war.
An alternative scenario, maintaining control over the territory, would require pressure on the Kremlin, including through arms supplies and economic sanctions, in order to limit Moscow’s ambitions and prevent a renewed offensive.
The United States needs to significantly increase pressure on the Kremlin, as Moscow has so far shown no readiness for genuine negotiations. One effective step could be the transfer of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump has expressed the view that, in the long term, the United Nations could take on a key role in resolving global conflicts, seeing it as an organization with serious capabilities to prevent and end wars after his involvement in these processes.
