Russia drags out negotiations. Trump has nothing to respond with

I have said and written many times: these negotiations are not about territories, as they are perceived here. And not even about seizing all of Ukraine.

Putin views these negotiations as an element of returning to geopolitics. Hence the Europeans' fears about the start of war in Europe, by the way. But, paradoxical as it may be, understanding the potential possibility of war in Europe, both the EU and the U.S. continue to think, first and foremost, in terms of territories.

Unfortunately, I have almost stopped believing in the possibility of productive negotiations. Why?

"Putin has simply stopped fearing Trump. And Trump, who has not yet realized this, does not have significant levers of influence. Putin will go to negotiations only at the moment when he understands that something threatens him. Either politically or physically."

The main thing is that Europe, the U.S., and China understand this. As soon as this realization comes, there can be no doubt that even in Russia, the next Prigozhins will become active, despite Putin's seemingly concrete power. But, unfortunately, so far no one (except Ukraine and the Baltic countries) wants to articulate this out loud. And as long as this continues — the low-result negotiations about territories will continue.

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About the author: Vadym Denysenko, political scientist.

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