A key statement by Trump, made with Zelenski in the Oval Office, welcomed in Moscow / “Music for Putin's ears”
Volodimir Zelenski and Donald Trump. Photo: Aaron Schwartz / Upi / Profimedia
An important statement made by Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Monday night, referred to the peace negotiations without a prior armistice, that is exactly what Vladimir Putin wants, I write BBC and CNN.
For months, Trump had requested the immediate termination of battles and threatened Russia with sanctions if he did not comply, insisting that stopping the killings is his priority.
After the Alaska summit, he unexpectedly stated that he no longer expects Moscow to accept an armistice.
On Monday, at the discussions in the Oval Office with Volodimir Zelenski, he explained why.
“From a strategic point of view, this could be a disadvantage for one of the parties,” Trump said.
Exactly the position of Putin
“This position is music for Vladimir Putin's ears,” writes BBC. The Russian leader has long insisted that only a comprehensive peace agreement, under the conditions imposed by Moscow, should have priority, followed by an armistice.
Putin, BBC notes, seems to have convinced Washington that this is the fastest way to the end of the war that Trump wants so urgently.
This is while Kiev and European allies repeatedly asked for an armistice before any discussion for a comprehensive peace.
And Moscow reacted quickly, with satisfaction.
“Deeply disturbing”
Kirill Dmitriev, a key collaborator of Russian President Vladimir Putin, distributed Donald Trump's statement.
Posting on X while Trump held the press conference with Zelenski, Dmitriev quoted the US president who said: “All the peace agreements I concluded were made without an armistice.”
Previously, Dmitriev had posted something else on the same topic: “Sustainable peace vs. temporary cease.”
The observers emphasized the importance of Trump's position change, following the discussions with Putin.
Nigel Gould-Davies, a researcher for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told CNN that it is “deeply disturbing” that Trump has given up his request for Russia to accept an armistice and that he is increasingly sharing Putin's opinion that the war can only be concluded.
