With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., concerns are rising that the peace deal being negotiated could inadvertently benefit Russian leader Vladimir Putin. A former U.S. State Department official has expressed serious doubts about whether the agreement will sufficiently constrain Russia’s actions or if it might even embolden Putin to pursue further aggression against Ukraine.
As reported by David Smith for The Guardian, there are striking parallels between Trump’s current dealings with Zelenskyy and his previous attempts to pressure foreign leaders during his first term, which led to his impeachment. Max Bergmann of the Center for Strategic and International Studies emphasized the dire stakes for Ukraine, stating that the country is under relentless assault from Russia, making any concessions potentially disastrous.
Joel Rubin, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, offered insights into how Trump’s deal could play out. He warned that if the agreement prioritizes U.S. interests in Ukraine’s minerals without addressing broader security concerns, it could leave Ukraine vulnerable to Russian exploitation. Rubin questioned whether such a deal would truly serve Ukrainian interests or merely advance a geopolitical agenda that benefits Russia.
The potential fallout of this agreement is significant. If Putin perceives weakness or indecision from the U.S., he might interpret it as an opportunity to escalate tensions further. This could have cascading effects on global stability, particularly in Eastern Europe, where regional security is already tenuous.
Smith’s reporting underscores the need for transparency and caution in these high-stakes negotiations. As world leaders watch closely, the outcome of Trump and Zelenskyy’s meeting could set a dangerous precedent for future diplomatic engagements, potentially emboldening authoritarian regimes at the expense of democratic values.