Lesia Ogryzko, Director of the Sahaidachnyi Security Center, shared her insights with DW (Deutsche Welle), a leading German international news outlet, on the Trump-Putin talks. She analyzed the positions of Europe and Russia, as well as Ukraine’s role in the peace process.
While Washington and Moscow prepare for the Alaska meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine, European countries are trying to influence the format and outcome of these negotiations in favor of Kyiv. On August 11, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, convened an emergency meeting of foreign ministers from EU member states, inviting her Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha as well. The informal EU Council confirmed that peace negotiations without Kyiv cannot be considered serious.
L.Ogryzko emphasizes that for Putin, a ceasefire has become a tool of diplomatic leverage:
“Controlling when and how this issue is discussed is central to Moscow’s strategy for maintaining the initiative. Putin considers a ceasefire premature, as it would mean giving up a powerful leverage without receiving sufficient benefits in return.”
The expert adds: “Europe must demonstrate full alignment with Ukraine to Washington and ensure that territorial concessions are not an option. At the same time, the EU should reaffirm its support for Ukraine’s military efforts through long-term funding and the supply of defense equipment.”
Lesia Ogryzko underscores that Europe’s and Ukraine’s participation in all negotiations is critically important to safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and prevent unilateral decisions by Russia or the United States.
Read the full DW article to learn more about Europe’s initiatives and the prospects for a ceasefire in Ukraine: https://bit.ly/4mkYsPb