The world on Ukraine needs to conclude before the era of uncertainty and chaos of Donald Trump's second presidential term begins. This is written by The Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins.
The strategy of the West has lost touch with reality — the squares of Kiev have turned into theaters for Western politicians. They demonstrate their machismo, demand a complete victory and go home. Meanwhile, Ukrainian cities were destroyed, from 60 thousand to 80 thousand young Ukrainian servicemen died, and more than 6 million citizens of the country emigrated, the article says.
"A way out of this bloody impasse must be found through negotiations, and Putin should not wait until Trump is in the White House. Ending the war in Ukraine is a choice that lies with the United States, without whose support Ukraine is collapsing. But the end must come with negotiations. This means a return to the failed Minsk agreements of 2014 and the Istanbul Agreements of 2022. There is no real alternative. This means a border drawn somewhere between "Russian" Ukraine and Kiev Ukraine. Kiev cannot return Crimea. Russia must accept some external guarantees of Ukraine's future security. Kiev should recognize that this will not lead to NATO membership, while Russia should recognize that Ukraine will work out some kind of agreement with the EU," the author writes.
According to a BBC Moscow correspondent, Russian President Vladimir Putin is on the rise after the recent BRICS summit in Kazan, which was attended by 36 countries not connected with the West. In connection with Donald Trump's call to "one day end the war on In Ukraine,"the Russian leader may be tempted to refrain from negotiations until Trump returns to the White House, he notes.
"It's a risk he shouldn't take. Trump as president will be inundated with pressure from the authorities and allies to hold firm and continue to fight. Currently, Putin has pushed Ukraine aside... and NATO is in an uncertain mood. Joe Biden must really want to end at least one of his wars before he leaves. It may be possible to conclude a deal before the chaos and uncertainty of the second Trump era begins," Jenkins emphasizes.
Washington, in his opinion, should seize this moment and satisfy Russia's demands.