I get the impression that we do not participate in negotiations at all

The World Trade War started by Donald Trump has distracted the international community from negotiations on the termination of war in Ukraine. Formally, these negotiations are still ongoing – high -level American and Russian meetings are held, but they do not produce any tangible results.

Ukrainian analyst Euhen Mahda says that optimism is low, as the Ukrainian position in the negotiation process is virtually unheard of and is at least partially the fault of the Volodymyr Zelensky administration. Mahda also associates a little hope with a lot of Western Europeans talking to Kyjiv – many languages ​​remain in languages.

– Everyone’s attention turned to a trade war and negotiations on peace in Ukraine are forgotten, although it seems still happening. And what’s going on? Empty conversations or real diplomatic process?

– Given that the greatest achievement of Russians and Americans is still an exchange of prisoners, I would not say that the negotiations are very successful. Both sides are more trying to show that they are doing something, but they do not get the results. More importantly, I have not seen a clear Ukrainian position so far, and if it is clearly unspoken and if the other two parties do not take into account, it is impossible to agree on anything. Ukrainian positions are necessary. We are not satisfied with the current situation where the war is on our land, we are suffering the most painful losses, but Russia seems to be going to go out at all. Therefore, I think Ukraine should seek to include more countries in negotiations. It could be the European Union, India, China or Turkey.

Americans value these negotiations too simplistic – press and form « Deal » in any conditions. In the negotiations, Russians and Americans talk most about their affairs, and Ukraine would like to shine somewhere in the foreground. This is not the case for us.

Euhen Mahda / Photo by Personal Archive

– Russia obviously does not want peace and wears negotiations. Moscow is lucky enough to lead Mr Trump behind his nose, as is the Kremlin strategists probably imagine, or is it a false tactic that will end in Trump’s patience and he will strike Russia? The US president has repeatedly stated that he was dissatisfied with Russia’s passivity.

– Russia certainly does not want peace, and in negotiations it is clearly looking for opportunities to have the most favorable conditions for it. I think the Russians themselves believe that they are successfully manipulating D. Trump. It is unclear where such tactics can actually lead. Yes, Mr Trump has repeatedly said he was dissatisfied, but by no specific actions it did not turn into it, and the mere dissatisfaction will not be enough because nobody even pays attention to such things in Russia.

I do not see a clear position of Ukraine, and if it is clearly unspoken and if the other two parties do not take into account, it is impossible to agree on anything.

– The basis of Russian tactics is the delay of negotiations, and what is the Ukrainian tactics? As if it were negotiated for minerals, as if it were a record of American weaponry to be bought…

– Mr Trump’s statement rejected by the intention to buy American weapons was generally true but significantly late. It was necessary to offer the day Mr Trump was elected. In general, time is constantly losing time – the best factor in Ukraine’s actions. This is our big disadvantage that we are guilty of ourselves.

– What is the likelihood that Trump will drop his hand at the negotiations and tell the Americans that he had done everything he could, but no one asked him, so let’s now out of his own problems?

– The fact that he has not done anything so far, because Trump is clearly working without a plan and therefore very difficult to say how he will behave further. He tries to « sell » to everyone not the result, but the faith in the fact that it is great and talented, which is not quite in line with reality. Yes, he can throw negotiations. But you may not. In the morning no one can say what he will do in the evening. For Ukraine, I see one way in this situation – to speak with Mr Trump’s language of his interests. Not even the interests of the US, but his own. Unfortunately, our « dear » government does not really understand it. Mr Trump thinks he « the Great » and Zelensky thinks about himself as well. We have a problem.

– Rumors were circulating that Western European leaders had encouraged Zelenski to confront Mr Trump behind the scenes, saying that Ukraine would be fine in the Union with Europe. Think that could have been?

– No, I don’t. First of all because V. Zelenski can only forget V. Zelenski himself.

The creators of the « Coalition » do not know what that coalition wants, who needs it and what to do with it.

– Suppose the US is distancing itself from all Ukrainian affairs. Europe has many famous promises, but would its support be enough? Europeans have repeatedly changed promises or discussed actions that will probably never be taken for months, such as sending troops to Ukraine. What can Ukraine actually make without eternal promises?

– When Europeans say they are with us, I wonder what they are with us? Well, the 800 billion European defense funding plan has been announced. The pace that Europe promises to implement it is simply unrealistic technically. After the Cold War, Europe did not do anything for the benefit of the defense. Worse, it did not do anything even after Russia has executed a full -fledged invasion of Ukraine. For three years, the Ukrainians are in blood, and Europe’s defensive capacity has not been pushed over a centimeter.

As for the slogans of Western European leaders, I will remind you of the old joke: « The Russians invented love so that they would not have to pay for sex, and the political promises were invented by the French so that nothing would have to be done. » The creators of the « Coalition » do not know what that coalition wants, who needs it and what to do with it.

– One thing Europeans can really give is money. Maybe it’s a good model? Europe gives money, and Ukraine buys American or possibly Korean weapons for them?

– European politicians will not make money for American weapons. It would be political suicide. The political structure of Europe itself is so confusing that it is almost impossible to agree on similar solutions. One thing that European politicians are able to promise, but not to promise to do. Even if we get money, it doesn’t mean that the Americans will sell us armament. Same with South Korea – they will not sell weapons without the US approval. In a word, I am skeptical about such perspectives.

– Still, those slogans work in Europeans, « You hear how Macron said well? Here, we’ll show everyone now and without Trump! » We are worried that we are sinking into the bubble of illusions. Ukrainians still do such promises?

– Many Ukrainians believed that the ceasefire would come into force on the day after Trump’s inauguration. The level of critical thinking of my compatriots does not withstand any criticism. I am ashamed of this, as is the shame that Ukraine does not even have a clear information policy and does not even try to create it.