All of it sounded so promising: A NATO-style mutual defence assure for Ukraine, offered by the US, and agreed to by Vladimir Putin.
That was supposedly the concession received by Donald Trump throughout his summit with the Russian president in Alaska. US particular envoy Steve Witkoff described the obvious breakthrough as “game-changing”.
Nevertheless it appears it could be too good to be true. As a result of judging by the feedback from Moscow since then, nothing has modified in anyway.
Russian international minister Sergei Lavrov described the present discussions about future safety ensures for Ukraine as a “road to nowhere”. And now, “hopeless”.
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A blaze at a residential space hit by Russian drones within the Lviv area on Thursday. Pic: State Emergency Service of Ukraine
On each events, the veteran diplomat made it clear that the one safety assure Russia is prepared to simply accept is one which entails them, referring every time to a proposal put ahead by Moscow at talks with Kyiv in 2022.
Underneath these phrases, Russia could be amongst a bunch of guarantors, together with China, and would have an efficient veto over any efforts to defend Ukraine.
It was a non-starter for Kyiv then, and it nonetheless is now. However the Kremlin is aware of this.
I feel it is a proposal that is designed to be rejected, in order that Russia can proceed its makes an attempt to painting Ukraine because the barrier to peace, and attempt to distance Trump from Europe.
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A view reveals an condominium constructing hit by Russian drone strikes in Lviv on Thursday. Pic: Reuters
“[Ukraine is] not interested in a sustainable, fair, long-term settlement,” Lavrov mentioned in Moscow, whereas additionally accusing Europe of “undermining” the “progress” made in Alaska.
However the one progress seems to be round – there’s loads of motion, nevertheless it’s going nowhere, like a hamster caught in a wheel.
The identical goes for the potential assembly between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin.
Firstly of the week, Trump claimed the 2 sides had been “setting it up”, however Moscow nonetheless has its caveats.
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Donald Trump greets Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the White Home. Pic: Reuters
“Our president has repeatedly said that he is ready to meet,” Lavrov mentioned, “with the understanding that all issues…are worked out”.
Moscow claims Zelenskyy is an illegitimate chief, and Russia’s international minister hinted that he would should be re-elected earlier than any peace deal is signed, and earlier than a presidential summit is held.
So, regardless of the Trump administration’s optimism {that a} peace deal is inside attain, it’s clear that two of the basic obstacles stay.
And Russia is in no apparent rush to discover a manner round them.
