Putin is going to deceive Trump - political scientist

Political scientist, expert of the Bureau of Policy Analysis Viktor Bobyrenko expressed this opinion on Espreso.

“The offensive in Kursk has more political significance, aimed at strengthening our negotiating position. This is a factor that Putin will take into account when going to negotiations. Now it is actually a card up Zelenskyy's sleeve. Kellogg initially announced Trump's intention to announce on February 14 at the Munich Security Conference that the negotiation process was going very well. Today, it was reported that Putin put everything on hold and said that in order for Russia to continue negotiations, it is important that Ukraine make a “goodwill gesture” and withdraw its troops from the Kursk region. This is a trap for Trump, because the Russians can say: “We are peaceful people, but our armored train is on the back track,” he said.

The Russians may try to force Trump to pressure Zelenskyy to agree to the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the Kursk region. However, this could lead to new conditions: lifting of sanctions, return of frozen assets, and other demands.

“If Putin realizes that Trump is willing to sign a peace at any price, including concessions from Ukraine, this could lead to additional demands. We know that Putin and Russian promises cannot be trusted. But Trump may not know this and put pressure not on Putin, but on us, calling for concessions. Especially since Putin may offer to release prisoners or political prisoners, which is not important to him. Trump may say, “Look, Americans, people are more important than territory.” But for Putin, it's the other way around - people are worthless, the territory is everything,” Bobyrenko said.

It is necessary to avoid such a trap, as it threatens not only Ukraine, but the entire civilized world, the political scientist said.

“Putin is going to deceive Trump, they are not friends. Putin has a few friends that he really values, like Hitler did. But this does not mean that Putin is not the personification of Satan in human form. He cannot have close friends, and he cannot get along with Trump. When Putin meets someone, he thinks about how to deceive them. Maybe Trump thinks the same way. But now Trump is vulnerable in his desire to achieve peace quickly, to show that Biden failed to do it, and the great Trump came to power and solved everything. Putin, by making statements about his readiness for peace, is simply fueling Trump's ego and nothing more. Putin cannot be trusted,” Bobyrenko summarized.

• U.S. President Donald Trump is ready to double sanctions against Russia to end the war in Ukraine, says his special representative for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg. This applies especially to the energy sector.