A former senior diplomat expresses skepticism regarding the potential for substantive progress towards a resolution of the conflict in Ukraine during the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference Foundation, indicated that a significant breakthrough appears unlikely, citing a perceived lack of thorough preparation on the US side. He suggested that the pre-summit engagement involving Steve Witkoff and encounters with seasoned Russian officials, raises concerns given the considerable experience and negotiating skill held by the Russian delegation.
Ischinger voiced apprehension that Putin could leverage the meeting to enhance his international standing. He posits a scenario where the discussions are extended through bilateral processes initiated in Saudi Arabia, shifting focus to matters like Iran and other global crises. This, he suggests, would position Putin as an equal negotiating partner, a status he believes is undeserved until demonstrable progress towards ending the conflict is achieved.
Ischinger suggests a potentially more effective approach would have been to condition the offer of a summit on the expectation of a concrete outcome, such as a negotiated ceasefire agreement, to be announced during the meeting.