Trump and Putin's phone call raises concerns over Ukraine policy

"We want to see if we can bring that war to an end," stated President Donald Trump, announcing his upcoming Tuesday conversation with Vladimir Putin. The leaders are expected to discuss potential concessions as part of the proposed agreement to end the conflict in Ukraine. A crucial aspect of the talks will be the territorial concessions from Kyiv and determining the status of four Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia.

According to Andrij Sybiha, the head of Ukrainian diplomacy, the authorities in Kyiv do not recognise the annexation of territories occupied by Russia. "Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles and are not subject to change," Sybiha declared in an interview with the RBC Ukraine service. He stressed that Kyiv would not compromise on its aims to join the EU and NATO, nor would it agree to demilitarisation.

"I tremble at the effects of Tuesday's conversation, considering how the first phone chat between Trump and Putin went. It resulted in a dismal process termed peace negotiations by the American president, which they absolutely are not," says Maciej Matysiak, former deputy head of the Military Counterintelligence Service and expert at Stratpoints Foundation.

He notes that from the start, the Russians, the instigators of the situation, have held the advantage and a better starting position than the victim.

"This phone conversation is yet another opportunity for Putin to manipulate Trump. I don't expect anything beneficial for Ukraine from it. If anything, the talk will draw the American president closer to fulfilling his expectation of peace in whatever form. He wants to fulfill his pre-election promise. It will only serve Trump. The conversation should address the consequences for Russia and balancing the harm done to Ukraine. That's why I’m having doubts. I don't foresee anything positive," the expert opines.

In his view, the current situation, to put it mildly, is uncomfortable for Ukraine.

"The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States has created new opportunities for Russia. Today, Putin is bolstering his position in every respect: whether in negotiation or military terms. Not to mention that Russia has faced no restrictions from the Trump administration, whereas Ukraine has. Kyiv faced actions from Washington, like the withholding of arms supplies, intelligence data, or satellite images, which were very unaccommodating. Nothing here aligns," notes the former deputy head of the Military Counterintelligence Service.

He emphasises that it's inconsistent for quasi-negotiations to be conducted with minimal involvement from Ukraine, over the heads of the authorities in Kyiv.

"Russia is benefiting from this. The bandit, criminal Russian regime is receiving a guarantee for future actions. It is already clear today that, as Europe, we will have to manage the consequences of these decisions. We also know that if the final agreements on ending the war are termed peace, it will be neither lasting nor permanent. And it will not stop Russia." – comments the interviewee from Wirtualna Polska.

"I am willing to bet pounds against peanuts that when an act regarding the suspension or end of the war is signed, Europe will be left to handle this "wonder" on its own. Let me remind you that Trump pulled a similar stunt in Afghanistan, leaving a "cuckoo's egg" for Joe Biden's administration. I don't have good feelings about the conversation with Putin," repeats Maciej Matysiak.

According to the former military figure, the glimmer of hope could later be that Trump will eventually stop interfering, and Europe will assert its independence in action.

"Therefore, it is crucial to maintain Ukraine as an independent, democratic state, building its political and military strength so that it never falls completely under the regime in Moscow," concludes Matysiak.