Description: Behind the curtains of the white smoke in the media, the phone conversation between Trump and Putin shed more confusion, uncertainty and threats for a prolonged war. The conversation which lasted for more than two hours saw US President Donald Trump reluctantly praising the fact that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a pleasant and productive conversation. Conflicting statements came from the press conference in Sochi, where Putin simply restated Russia’s consistent position on the war and addressing the so – called root causes of the conflict. Trump’s dealmaking and transactional diplomacy was belittled by Putin’s iron fist and decades – long career within Russia’s intelligence services. Despite the expected diplomatic and political posturing, the presidents only mildly agreed that some form of negotiations would take place in the future as the Vatican was proposed as a potential location. Signals from the European leaders complemented the statements made by US Vice – President JD Vance, as EU was quick to announce a new package of sanctions while Vance once again mentioned a potential US withdrawal from the peace initiative. Ukraine’s President Volodymir Zelenskyy also reiterated Ukraine’s position and remained adamant towards any military withdrawal by Ukraine’s forces in the Russian occupied territories, while welcoming the role the US has so far played in brokering elementary diplomatic contact between Russia and Ukraine.
Impact: Significantly buffed by the media as the next grandiose development in the war in Ukraine, the Trump – Putin conversation restated the US disownment with Europe and put Ukraine in further uncertainty. Trump’s fast – paced, goal-oriented diplomacy fueled with trade and economic incentives met Putin’s art of making no deals under any uncertain terms which would see Russia as the winner of the war. Putin has effectively completely discredited the US role in the peace initiative and signaled that Russia despite being interested in engaging with the US economically, hard – line priorities and national interest are paramount. Trump’s evident attempt to cover his own failure to force the Russian President to some sort of guarantees underscore that under the current constellation of relations the war is here to stay. Europe has once again shown its irrelevance in impacting global issues as most of the decisions, which are currently of existential nature, are still being dictated from Washington. Europe’s abstinence from making independent decisions and the constant threat by the US to abandon the initiative further undermine Ukraine’s position and position Russia on the negotiating pedestal. Going forward, no considerable development is expected in the short to mid – term, as the Russian military continues to advance across the frontlines putting Ukraine under do or die pressure.