Trump and Putin: talks move behind closed doors

If this is indeed the case, then this is what should be considered a real negotiation process—as opposed to what we observed throughout the spring and early summer. In general, processes during which parties publicize their negotiating positions are not genuine negotiations. Diplomacy works in silence, and serious negotiations are not conducted publicly—of course, if the parties intend to achieve a specific result.

For example, we do not see memorandums from the U.S. and Iran regarding negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program. We know nothing about the details of the U.S. and China negotiations regarding the trade war. And the interim agreements of Istanbul in 2022 became known only several years after their conclusion.

Therefore, the absence of information about negotiations is not yet evidence that they do not exist. Perhaps they are continuing according to more classic scenarios. It's hard to believe, but this option cannot be ruled out.

Currently, the G7 summit is underway, attended by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, and the leaders of European countries—our allies who recently visited Kyiv. Despite repeated statements about withdrawing from the negotiation process, the American president is still participating in it. 

Thus, it is clear that another attempt is now being made to influence his position on Ukraine and the war, so that the United States returns to the camp of allies, rather than remaining in the role of a neutral mediator. It is difficult to say exactly how the U.S. position will change. 

Currently, we see that America maintains the validity of all sanctions imposed by the Biden administration, continues intelligence sharing, does not impede the supply of weapons allocated under the previous administration, and does not even renew restrictions on their use on Russian territory—restrictions that were lifted after the Democrats lost the election.

Ukraine's task is to achieve an expansion of this assistance. The task is complex. But during a war, there are no easy tasks.

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About the author: Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Member of the Ukrainian parliament.

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of blogs or columns.