logo
Why Zelensky should pick Putin's ‘direct peace talks' offer over a Trump-mediated deal

Why Zelensky should pick Putin's ‘direct peace talks' offer over a Trump-mediated deal

Hindustan Times01-05-2025

Russia says it's ready to talk peace - with Ukraine, bypassing Washington. Kyiv says it's open to the idea. In 2022, Ukraine and Russia came close to a peace deal,until the West stepped in. From Boris Johnson's surprise visit to Kyiv, to reports that the U.S., Germany, and France shut down negotiations, the message was clear: no deal with Moscow, keep fighting. In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta revisits those critical moments - how the Minsk Agreement was used and abused, how NATO's expansion fueled distrust, and why Ukraine may once again be falling into a familiar trap. Can Kyiv afford to rely on a West that keeps walking away when things get tough? Or is it time to stop outsourcing peace? While President Zelensky faces pressure at home and abroad, Russia is making its move, asking to talk directly. But is Kyiv in any position to choose? With the West's track record of walking away-from Saigon to Kabul-is Ukraine doomed to become another footnote in its long list of abandoned allies?

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Donald Trump says it might be good to let Ukraine and Russia ‘fight for a while'
Donald Trump says it might be good to let Ukraine and Russia ‘fight for a while'

Mint

time41 minutes ago

  • Mint

Donald Trump says it might be good to let Ukraine and Russia ‘fight for a while'

During a meeting in the Oval Office with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday, President Donald Trump remarked that it might be better to allow Ukraine and Russia to 'fight for a while' before stepping in to separate them and pursue peace. Comparing the conflict to a quarrel between two young children who despise each other, Trump said he had conveyed this analogy to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their phone conversation the previous day. Chancellor Merz, seated alongside Trump, emphasised their shared condemnation of the ongoing war, describing it as 'terrible' and highlighting Trump's role as a key figure capable of ending the bloodshed. However, Merz was clear that Germany firmly supports Ukraine, noting that Kyiv targets only military objectives and not Russian civilians. 'We are trying to get them stronger,' he added. This marked the first in-person meeting between the two leaders, who exchanged pleasantries including a gift from Merz to Trump—a gold-framed birth certificate of Trump's grandfather, Friedrich Trump, who emigrated from Germany. Their discussions were expected to cover a range of issues including the war in Ukraine, trade relations, and NATO defence spending. Since assuming office on 6 May, Merz and Trump have spoken several times by phone, with German officials describing the relationship as 'decent' and Merz seeking to avoid the antagonism that characterised Trump's dealings with his predecessor, Angela Merkel. Merz, a conservative with a strong business background and former rival to Merkel, has been active in diplomatic efforts surrounding Ukraine, travelling to Kyiv shortly after taking office and hosting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin last week. A White House official indicated that Trump planned to raise topics such as Germany's defence spending, trade, Ukraine, and concerns over 'democratic backsliding,' suggesting that shared values like freedom of speech have deteriorated in Germany and should be restored. Merz responded by saying he was open to discussing German domestic politics but stressed that Germany generally refrains from commenting on American internal affairs. Under Merz's predecessor, Olaf Scholz, Germany became the second-largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the United States. Merz has pledged to maintain this support and recently committed to assisting Ukraine in developing long-range missile systems free from range restrictions. Despite his comments on letting the conflict play out, Trump did not rule out sanctions, warning that 'when I see the moment where it's not going to stop … we'll be very, very tough,' signalling that sanctions could be imposed on both Ukraine and Russia. Domestically, Merz's government is intensifying efforts to strengthen the German military, a campaign initiated by Scholz following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Trump, who criticised Germany during his first term for failing to meet NATO's 2% GDP defence spending target, is now demanding that allies increase their contributions to at least 5%. The upcoming NATO summit in the Netherlands later this month is seen as a crucial opportunity for Germany to commit to this higher spending level.

Who is Alexus Grynkewich, the new top commander of Nato in Europe named by US
Who is Alexus Grynkewich, the new top commander of Nato in Europe named by US

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Who is Alexus Grynkewich, the new top commander of Nato in Europe named by US

Airforce general Alexus Grynkewich has been nominated as the top commander of Nato in Europe by the United States on Wednesday. The appointment spearheaded by US President Donald Trump has been approved by 32 Nato allies, but has yet to receive confirmation by the US senate. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The appointment comes amid concerns about the scaling back of American leadership in the alliance. The US had considered back in March to give up the role of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) as reported by NBC. The position of SACEUR has been generally filled by US generals, with Dwight D. Eisenhower being the first to hold the position back in 1951. Nato diplomats have denounced the possibility of the US relinquishing the post. Who is Alexus Grykewich? A graduate from the University of Georgia in Athens, Grykewich has completed the Pinnacle program from the National Defence University in Washington, DC. Before being appointed as the top commander, he was Director for Operations of J-3, joint staff in the US Air Force. As the director, he provided strategic guidance to combatant commands and advised the President and secretary of defence regarding current operations and plans. He had also served as the 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) at the Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. He has also held staff positions at Air combat command, US European command, and US central command, Air Force headquarters and the joint staff. Grykewich has been awarded the French National Order of Merit and the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal.

NATO's chief says the alliance is on the cusp of accepting Trump's 5 per cent defense investment demand
NATO's chief says the alliance is on the cusp of accepting Trump's 5 per cent defense investment demand

New Indian Express

timean hour ago

  • New Indian Express

NATO's chief says the alliance is on the cusp of accepting Trump's 5 per cent defense investment demand

BRUSSELS: Most U.S. allies at NATO endorse President Donald Trump's demand that they invest 5% of gross domestic product on their defense needs and are ready to ramp up security spending even more, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Thursday. 'There's broad support,' Rutte told reporters after chairing a meeting of NATO defense ministers at the alliance's Brussels headquarters. 'We are really close,' he said, and added that he has 'total confidence that we will get there' by the next NATO summit in three weeks. European allies and Canada have already been investing heavily in their armed forces, as well as on weapons and ammunition, since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At the same time, some have balked at U.S. demands to invest 5% of GDP on defense — 3.5% on core military spending and 1.5% on the roads, bridges, airfields and sea ports needed to deploy armies more quickly. Still struggling to meet the old goal In 2023, as Russia's full-scale war on Ukraine entered its second year, NATO leaders agreed to spend at least 2% of GDP on national defense budgets. So far, 22 of the 32 member countries have done so, and others still struggle to do so. Trump and his NATO counterparts appear likely to endorse the new goal at a summit in The Hague on June 24-25. Trump insists that U.S. allies should spend at least 5% so America can focus on security priorities elsewhere, mostly in the Indo-Pacific and its own borders. He has gained important leverage over the other NATO countries by casting doubt over whether the United States would defend allies that spend too little. At the same time, Trump has imposed tariffs on ally and foe alike, citing U.S. security concerns. The new goal would involve a 1.5% increase over the current 2% goal for defense budgets. It means that all 32 countries would be investing the same percentage.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store