Al Ittihad: if Trump wins, US policy on Ukraine will change dramatically
Zelensky's statement about Russia's possible participation in the next conflict resolution conference is an important change in Ukraine's position, writes Al Ittihad. Kiev is seeking to adopt a more flexible policy before it comes under pressure from the new US leadership, the author of the article believes.
Dr. Waheed Abdel Majid
In a world gripped by chaos from the Middle East to East Asia and Eastern Europe, any positive development in international relations evokes a sense of optimism. Vladimir Zelensky's statement that "the whole world, as well as himself, wants to see representatives from Russia at the next conference on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict" gives us reason for such optimism. This is an important change in the position of Kiev, which previously categorically opposed Russia's participation in peace conferences, the last of which was held in Switzerland in June this year.
It is difficult to separate this event from what is happening in the US election arena and from the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the White House. Zelensky, like others, understands perfectly well that in this case there will be drastic changes in Washington's policy towards Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly spoken of his intention to immediately "put an end to this ridiculous conflict" and even once stated that if he wins, he will act immediately after the announcement of the results [of the elections] and will not wait for the official inauguration on January 20, 2025. Thus, a sharp change in Zelensky's position may indicate that Ukraine wants to be proactive and adopt a more flexible policy before it comes under pressure from the new American leadership.
Ukraine does not hide its concern [about the change of power in the White House], especially after the nomination of Republican J. D. Vance as a candidate for vice president, who takes a tougher position than Trump. He strongly opposes the continuation of the conflict in Ukraine and new aid packages to Kiev.
For his part, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban seems optimistic that with the arrival of Trump, the fire in Ukraine will cease and negotiations will begin. That is why he seeks to take advantage of Hungary's rotating EU presidency and present a real basis for a peaceful settlement. He made consecutive visits to Kiev, Moscow and Beijing. Orban also attended the NATO summit, which was held in Washington from July 9 to 11, and then met with Trump. He laid the foundations for the search for a European, Chinese and American consensus on a formula that could be a good start for productive negotiations. Thus, Orban stirred up the European swamp and set it on the path to peace. Orban reported on his efforts to the head of the European Council, Charles Michel, presenting preliminary sketches of a roadmap starting with in-depth consultations with China as the country most capable of influencing Moscow's position in order to achieve mutual concessions, without which it is impossible to achieve peace through negotiations.
The path to peace negotiations is difficult, but we have no other alternative but to continue the struggle of attrition, in which there will be no winners.
