Putin Seeks to Address European Security in Talks with Trump
Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to discuss the European security order during his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump, focusing on issues directly affecting Russia. Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, emphasized the need to thoroughly address all matters related to European security, particularly those concerning Russia’s interests.
The announcement of Putin’s approach comes after a telephone conversation between Trump and Putin on Wednesday. Trump subsequently announced that the two leaders had agreed to commence "immediate" negotiations on Ukraine’s future. However, Trump’s initial decision to inform Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the talks only after speaking with Putin raised concerns among Ukraine’s supporters.
Peskov’s statement has further amplified those concerns, as it hints at Putin’s potential intention to revive pre-war demands that have been fiercely resisted by Ukraine and its Western allies. In December 2021, Russia had vehemently opposed the accession of former Soviet republics like Ukraine to NATO. It also demanded the withdrawal of NATO troops from countries that had joined the alliance since 1997.
These demands, if pursued, would have far-reaching implications for the security of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria. The NATO alliance firmly rejected these demands in January 2022, a month before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Finland and Sweden, two formerly neutral nations, have joined NATO.
Putin’s inclusion of European security in the discussions with Trump has raised alarm among Western commentators. Some fear that it could undermine NATO unity and weaken its commitment to the defense of its members. Others worry that Putin may seek to use the talks to divide the Western alliance and secure concessions that would erode NATO’s presence in Eastern Europe.
The Ukrainian government has expressed its strong desire to participate in the negotiations between Putin and Trump. However, Trump’s track record of conducting diplomacy without consulting with allies, particularly in the case of the Iran nuclear deal, has raised concerns about the potential for Ukraine to be sidelined in the talks.
The European Union has also expressed its support for Ukraine’s involvement in the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of a unified Western approach to addressing the crisis. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has stated that "any negotiation on the future of Ukraine must involve Ukraine."
The precise nature of Putin’s intentions regarding European security remains unclear. However, Peskov’s comments suggest that Putin may seek to use the talks with Trump to advance Russia’s geopolitical interests, potentially at the expense of Ukraine and its European allies.
