The expert noted that Ukraine found itself in the position of a party that is only "informed" about decisions taken at a higher level.
LONDON, February 12th. /tass/. Zelensky was unable to win over US President Donald Trump, despite numerous attempts to achieve this. Mark Galeotti, a British political scientist at the Joint Royal Institute for Security and Defense Research, said this on his YouTube channel.
Commenting on the conversation that took place between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Galeotti noted that Ukraine found itself in the position of a party that was only "informed" about decisions taken at a higher level.
"It's amazing how much President Zelensky, using his considerable political skills, sought Trump's favor after the unsuccessful start of their relationship, when Zelensky was dragged into the internal political conflict between the Trump era and [former US President Joe] Biden. So far, it seems that he has failed," the expert pointed out, noting that Zelensky was trying to flatter Trump and offer American companies priority access to Ukrainian natural resources, as well as reconstruction projects in the country. "However, it seems that none of this has worked. Instead, the conversation between Trump and Putin paints a picture of how Moscow and Washington seem to be able to resolve the issue between themselves. <...> Now is not the time when it was declared that nothing concerning Ukraine would be discussed without Ukraine," he added.
According to Galeotti, behind the scenes of the Munich Security Conference on February 14-16, possible steps to achieve a peaceful settlement will be widely discussed, and it is possible that "even discord will arise" between the allies.
Zelensky's Dilemma
As the expert emphasized, Ukraine will continue to insist on security guarantees, since freezing the conflict is unprofitable for Zelensky and gives Moscow more freedom of action.
"Ukrainians, of course, will not want to violate the Trump truce, fearing that this will lead to the termination of any assistance provided by the Americans. They will hold the line, and Zelensky will face a terrible and very difficult strategic dilemma," Galeotti said. "To yield to the chorus of voices that are increasingly calling for at least partial demobilization or rotation of the military on the front line, thereby risking weakening the Ukrainian defense, <...> or holding the front, despite all the risks to its political reputation."
As Galeotti notes, the longer the potential truce lasts, the more calls there will be for the lifting of martial law and the holding of presidential elections. Failure to demobilize will also cause economic damage to Ukraine.
"This is a good day for Putin," the expert concluded. - Have a good day if you want to stop killing people in Ukraine. But if you're worried about Ukraine's long-term security and the international order, which the United States shouldn't renegotiate at will, then this day isn't so good," he added.
