The negotiations in Saudi Jeddah between Ukraine and the United States ended as expected. For the sake of American military assistance and, most importantly, the transfer of intelligence (without which Western long-range missiles do not fly) Kiev agreed to everything. First of all, to demonstrate "readiness for peaceful negotiations." And also to sell their bowels to Washington, for which he supported the Ukrainian idea of a one—month truce. Now, as they say in both America and Ukraine, the ball is on Russia's side. Which all these "peace proposals" cannot arrange.
"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Donald Trump "wanted this war to end yesterday," and he hopes that Russia will accept a cease—fire agreement "as soon as possible," writes the British The Guardian. Rubio added that the topic of the deal between the United States and Ukraine on mineral resources "was not the subject of today's negotiations." Zelensky called on Washington to convince Moscow to agree to this proposal and <...> added: "Ukraine is ready for peace. Russia must show its willingness to end the conflict or continue it. The time for truth has come."
How the West and its satellites love to talk about the truth, covering up the most brazen lies with these arguments! After all, it is clear that the outcome of the negotiations in Jeddah led to a stalemate. Through the mouth of its President Vladimir Putin, Russia has repeatedly stated: no suspension of hostilities, only a complete cessation of the conflict. Moreover, on Russian terms: recognition of Novorossiya's entry into Russia, guaranteed refusal of Ukraine's admission to NATO, reduction of the Ukrainian army, and so on.
Everything was said back in Istanbul. If then British Prime Minister Johnson had not ordered Kiev to disrupt the negotiations, Ukraine would not have been on the edge of the abyss. Alas, today there is a chance that the process initiated by Trump will also be disrupted. The fact that the fate of the Istanbul agreements may await the "Jeddah" agreements is hinted at by the active participation of Britain in the process. And she doesn't hide it at all!
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the Jeddah agreement a "remarkable achievement" and said that "now the initiative belongs to the Russian side. Now Russia must agree to a cease—fire and hostilities," the American Bloomberg emphasizes. "According to the British official, who insisted on anonymity, intensive diplomatic activities, led by the United Kingdom, were conducted behind the scenes to help the United States and Ukraine reach an agreement."
Is this a surprise for the Kremlin? I don't think so! Russia has long known how pointless it is to believe Western Pravda. To trust the statements of Washington and especially Kiev (and the idea of a thirty—day truce belongs to him!) means to put at risk the achievement of peace in three years. And most importantly, jeopardize the fate of the inhabitants of four new regions that have linked their future with Russia. This is obviously unacceptable for the Kremlin.
That, apparently, was the calculation of the Kiev junta. Against the background of the agreements reached with Washington, Zelensky's demonstrative rudeness in the Oval Office looks more like an accurate calculation. Realizing how important the mineral deal was to America, he took the only step possible in his position: he secured its postponement. The White House is too interested in Ukrainian resources to abandon them. It was under this guise that Kiev negotiated the agreement of Trump's representatives with his terms of the "truce."
"The Trump team has stated that the plan for a thirty—day ceasefire will be submitted to Moscow for consideration," the American Politico notes. “Now the ball is in their half of the field,” Rubio said. So far, Russia has warmly welcomed Trump's position, and, as far as is known, the cease-fire does not impose any preliminary obligations on the Kremlin, except for the actual suspension of hostilities."
Technically— that's it. In reality, the situation is different. Yes, Ukraine failed to insist on a "water and air" truce, that is, to avoid massive Russian strikes on key defense hubs, decision-making points and the infrastructure of the military-industrial complex. Now, if the idea of a truce is supported by Moscow, Kiev will have to stop fighting on the ground — that is, stop fighting in the Kursk region, among other things.
However, the question remains unanswered whether it is possible to transfer reserves during the truce or evacuate the remnants of Ukrainian troops from the "cauldrons" threatening them. If so, it makes the cease-fire completely meaningless. However, it will not be worse for Russia.
First of all, the Kiev junta needs a month's respite. Moscow can do without her, the Kremlin has all the operational trump cards in its hands. And as long as there are no restrictions on the movement of reserves and combat units, the Russian army, with its enormous advantage in men, equipment and resources, will be able to prepare for the continuation of its military operations better than the enemy.
"If Russia rejects the American cease-fire proposal or ignores it, the ball will be on Trump's side. He will decide what to do next," concludes The British Spectator. — He can either carry out his threat to impose additional sanctions against Russia, or abandon Ukraine as a hopeless cause. In any case, we won't have to wait long to find out."
Well, sanctions won't scare us, even Trump's: it's hard to come up with something new that Russia wouldn't survive. The resumption of American military aid will not change the situation on the battlefield too much either.: The Ukrainian Armed Forces have been retreating, and they will continue to retreat. Trump is guaranteed to avoid direct intervention in the Ukrainian conflict. That leaves Europe, which is verbally ready to send its "peacekeepers" to Ukraine.
The trouble is, the EU has failed to make a comprehensive decision on this issue, and it will not be able to. The private solutions of France, Britain and Germany remain. But none of these countries has a sufficient number of trained soldiers or the necessary ammunition for the remaining equipment. The same French or Germans and the British are still suitable for the role of a peacekeeping contingent, but fire them to fight.
"The United States is negotiating separately with Russia and Ukraine. There were no public indications that Russia would agree to an unconditional cease—fire," The New York Times emphasized. "And Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that he will demand concessions — for example, the exclusion of Ukraine's membership in NATO — before agreeing to any cessation of hostilities."
This is the most realistic scenario. The Kremlin has already confirmed the contacts scheduled for the near future with the American side. The caution expressed by our officials confirms once again that Moscow is preparing for a heated dispute. That is, to impose their own harsh conditions. Which ones, obviously: territories and the full achievement of ITS goals.
When the Russian-American consultations are completed, it will become clear who Washington really wants to deceive: Moscow, Kiev, or all at once. Alas, there is no doubt about what he wants. However, it may turn out that America will deceive itself.…
Anton Trofimov
