Will Putin Accept Trump Peace Deal?
Steve Witkof Trump's Envoy Flies into Moscow.
The Russians are gaining more territory in Ukraine. The Russians have threatened action against foreign troops in Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer said Western boots might be on the ground. Of course, both sides in this conflict have to agree to that. The Ukrainians wouldn't have a problem with that as that would be helpful to them. As for the Russians, that would be a massive "NO". In any ceasefire agreed to by both sides, the UK and France might deploy troops into Ukraine (if and it is a big 'IF' if the Russians agree). Conversely, the Americans have opted not to do that in any ceasefire agreement.
The Americans cut off intelligence and armed support for Ukraine. This came after a massive spat between Trump and Zelenskyy. Ukraine is now receiving intelligence sharing and arms again. It has agreed to the Trump peace plan. So did this mean Ukraine signed the rare earths deal? The US and Ukraine met in Saudi Arabia. Cooperation, between the US and Ukraine, is once again alive and well?
Steve Witkof will fly into Moscow today to present Putin with the American peace plan. The Ukrainians agreed to a 30-day ceasefire. The Russians have said they will wait and see what the peace plan entails. The Russians have already told the Americans they will hang onto captured Ukrainian territory. This will have been a bitter pill for Zelenskyy to swallow. He had hoped to drive out the Russians and recapture this occupied land, but it seems that was a pipe dream.
Russia has been launching devastating rocket and drone attacks on Ukraine. Ukraine has also been hitting Moscow in much the same way. The Ukrainians invaded the Kursk region of Russia. The first such foreign invasion of Russia since the Germans in 1941-42. Ukraine is hoping to use this land as a bargaining chip to get back land stolen from Russia. Can the Ukrainians hold on this slither of Russian land? Russian forces are laying siege to the Ukrainians in the Kursk region.
Trump has not commented about what will happen if Putin refuses the deal? Will the negotiations continue, trying to find a way to please or appease the Russians? No doubt, this peace will be on Russia's terms. Ukraine could not even with help from the West drive out the Russians. The war so far has cost the lives of thousands of Russians and Ukrainian troops. Some Russian civilians have died, but thousands of Ukrainian civilians died. Trump is correct in saying this bloodbath must end. And at some point, it must end, but it may leave Russia in control of parts of Ukraine. Ukraine will have to settle for the fag end of this deal.
Can Steve Witkof make the Russians accept this peace plan? Does he have the gravitas, the persona, the negotiating skills to convince Putin? Steve Witkof was the man who brought about the Hamas and Israel ceasefire. Swaps of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages have been going well. Yes, there have been teething troubles but peace is holding just. There are still massive problems with this deal. However, one can only hope and pray that the ceasefire holds.
Trump came into power promising to end the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israeli-Hamas war. Whether each conflict can be ended permanently remains to be seen. Peace negotiations take time and may require compromise on all sides. Rules must be set up for swaps of prisoners, exchange of captured land, even reparations in some way. This has always been the case in ceasefire talks that bring wars to an end. There must be a lasting and fair ceasefire for all sides in the wars discussed. However, making warring parties happy is an ongoing battle in itself.
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Nicholas Bishop
I am a freelance writer currently writing for Blasting News and HubPages. I mainly write about politics. But have and will cover all subjects when the need arises.
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