Why could security guarantees be a ‘slippery slope' in a potential Ukraine-Russia ceasefire deal?
Retired Maj.-Gen. David Fraser on the push for a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire agreement as Russia continues to launch attacks.
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CBC
an hour ago
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Russian strikes targets in western Ukraine, hits electronics factory
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- National Post
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After a three-hour summit meeting in Anchorage last Friday, which most observers described as a 'big win' for Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump met in Washington on Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders for in a stunning display of high-stakes global diplomacy. Most significantly, they agreed to NATO Article 5-style security safeguards for Ukraine, involving European and possible U.S. monitors on the ground, as a key element in peace negotiations, a concept Trump claimed Putin had supported in principle in Alaska. The Russian foreign minister later walked back that claim, stating 'Moscow won't agree with collective security guarantees negotiated without Russia.' Article content Article content Nevertheless, the consensus in Washington is that the two meetings are expected to lead to a trilateral (U.S., Ukraine and Russia) summit to discuss peace before the end of this month at a place still to be determined. Article content Article content Trump's position on Ukraine has oscillated widely since the early days of his administration. He has spent much time trying to woo Putin while occasionally chastising Zelenskyy for his perceived lack of gratitude, as in February's explosive meeting at the White House. Trump often seems to have difficulty distinguishing the victim from the aggressor in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, often acting as if he is a neutral arbitrator, not Ukraine's backstop ally. When Putin arrived at a red-carpet welcome in Anchorage, the optics were all in his favour. The meeting seemed to be a chummy affair — due in part to the hasty preparations. There was little or no engagement on points of friction, or on leverage or Ukrainian interests. Putin offered no concessions on his basic objectives, rejected the notion of a ceasefire — which had been Trump's sole objective — and continues to intensify his war campaign. Article content The Americans emerged from the Alaska summit essentially empty-handed. No ceasefire and 'no tangible step toward peace,' which Trump's Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, had earlier confidently predicted. Despite his failure to get a ceasefire Trump still described his meeting with Putin as a '10 out of 10.' He remains unwilling to use the enormous economic leverage the U.S. has, which could cripple Russia's war-fuelled economy. In fact, he deferred yet again on further sanctions. Vacillation is the antithesis of former U.S. president Ronald Reagan's motto 'Peace Through Strength.' The only tangible example in Anchorage was the impressive flyover of a U.S. B-2 bomber and accompanying advanced fighter aircraft. Article content Article content Both Putin and the European leaders shamelessly flattered Trump during the Anchorage and Washington meetings, albeit in different ways. Putin stated that the war would not have happened if Trump had been in office and, according to Trump, also said the 2020 U.S. election 'was rigged.' The Europeans effusively stated that Trump was the 'only person' who could initiate peace negotiations, strongly echoing his basic desire to 'stop the killing.' All of this was music to Trump's ears (and his hopes for a Nobel Peace Prize), and it worked in both sessions. (Although Canada's prime minister joined the flattery queue in his statements to the media, he conspicuously was not invited to the session in Washington.)
