Trump might pressure Zelenskyy once Putin agrees to ceasefire — journalist Portnikov

This opinion was expressed on Espreso TV by journalist Vitaliy Portnikov.

According to him, if Russian leader Vladimir Putin agrees to a real ceasefire, it will create favorable conditions for Russia to prepare more effectively for a future war aimed at Ukraine’s destruction.

“As soon as Putin agrees to a real ceasefire, all the comfortable conditions for Russia that will allow it to prepare more effectively for the future Russian-Ukrainian war — which, from Putin’s point of view, should lead to Ukraine’s disappearance from the political map of the world — will be activated. At the same time, as soon as Putin agrees to a ceasefire, Trump will begin to exert pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, forcing him to accept all the agreements reached between the U.S. president and Putin. Moreover, I suspect that European politicians will support Trump — just as they agreed with him in Cairo,” Portnikov explained.

According to Portnikov, the only factor that could prevent such a scenario would be if Russian leader Vladimir Putin once again refused to enter into any agreements with U.S. President Donald Trump.

“The same peace summit will take place without the participation of Ukraine and Russia. Everyone there will unanimously approve Trump’s proposals. It is only unknown how events will unfold further. The only thing that can save us from such a development is Putin’s position; he may again refuse to agree to any agreements with Trump,” Portnikov said.

• On Thursday, October 16, U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Putin, during which they agreed to meet in Budapest.