Ukraine wants a deal, Russia wants a deal, the US wants to mediate the deal. But it is difficult to reach an understanding
It was just a few minutes after 10:00, mainland Portugal time, when Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, landed at the busy Vnukovo airport in the Russian capital.
In their baggage would be peace, a peace that Volodymyr Zelensky wants to be “open and fair” and discussed with Ukraine. The Kremlin says the meeting between Witkoff and Vladimir Putin is “an important step towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.” But the first signs are not encouraging for Kiev.
After the meeting, which lasted five hours, Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s adviser, said the conversation was “very useful, constructive and very meaningful.” The problem is what comes next.
“We are no closer to resolving the crisis in Ukraine, and there is much work to be done,” Ushakov said. “A compromise solution to the territorial issue has not yet been found, but the American side has announced its proposals for an agreement.”
From left to right, Yuri Ushakov, Jared Kushner, Kirill Dmitriev and Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin this Tuesday (Kristina Kormilitsyna/Pool Sputnik Kremlin via AP)
All sides are talking about an agreement, a much-needed agreement that Zelensky says was “refined” between the Ukrainians and Americans during negotiations in Florida and after long hours of meetings in Geneva.
It is unclear how “refined” this agreement is. We know that it went from 28 to 20 points, as Zelensky assured, and that the “most sensitive” issues, according to the Ukrainian president, are three: territorial concessions, use of frozen Russian assets and the so-called “coalition of willing countries”, a group mostly made up of European nations that want to participate in a lasting peace in Ukraine.
Europe’s role has been diminished by Moscow. As the Trump administration and the Kremlin grow closer and Witkoff confesses to Putin that he is “pleased” to see him, Europe is given the label of a villain, who “hinders” peace and “does not have a peaceful agenda.”
“We are not planning to go to war with Europe, I have said it hundreds of times,” said Vladimir Putin, who also swore that Russia had no plans to occupy Georgia and Ukraine. “But if Europe suddenly wants to fight us and start, we’re ready right now. There’s no doubt about that.” Word from the President of Russia.
It was a long day for Witkoff and Kushner. Like a good gentleman, Putin kept the two American envoys waiting while he spoke at a very important investment forum held by the Russian bank VTB, apparently more important than the negotiations to end the biggest war on European soil since World War II. Judging by the situation on the ground, it’s no wonder.
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff before meeting with Vladimir Putin (Alexander Kazakov/Pool Sputnik Kremlin via AP)
Things are looking more and more positive for the Russians. This Tuesday, at the same forum, Putin formally announced the conquest of the city of Pokrovsk, an important logistical node for the Ukrainian army. Kiev denies it, but it is quite certain that Russian troops have already entered the Ukrainian city.
Faced with this scenario, Zelensky no longer just wants a ceasefire. “Our common goal is to end the war, not just get a break in the fighting. A dignified peace is needed,” said the Ukrainian president, during a visit to Ireland.
Zelensky also asked for “certainty” for the Ukrainian people and thanked the US for its support. But he confesses to being afraid that Washington DC will get tired of supporting Ukraine.
“Yes, I’m afraid. If one of our allies is tired, I’m afraid. Russia’s goal is to remove the United States’ interest from this situation,” the Ukrainian leader said. Therefore, says Zelensky, we must take advantage of the “real opportunity” to achieve peace.
From the other side of the Atlantic comes the usual boasting. “We are trying to resolve this [guerra da Ucrânia]. I’ve already resolved eight wars. This would be the ninth, and our people are in Russia right now to see if we can resolve the situation,” said Donald Trump, before a meeting with his secretaries of state.
“It’s not an easy situation, I can assure you. What a mess,” added the American president.
Trump is used to confusion, his entire administration is a mess, from the way he has handled the Epstein case, to the attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea and the controversial anti-illegal immigration raids by ICE. But this is not just any confusion.
