“Trump and Putin to meet next year”, – The Washington Post

Newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to meet next year.

This was reported by The Washington Post, which refers to the two leaders as “self-proclaimed geopolitical alpha males.”

The main topic of discussion will be Ukraine. The Washington Post, known for its alignment with the Democratic Party, expresses both skepticism and concern about the prospects of these negotiations.

A source within Russian diplomatic circles told the publication that the Kremlin is not inclined toward compromise, citing confidence in their military advances in eastern Ukraine and the lack of forecasts predicting economic collapse.

“Russia is ready to negotiate, but from a position of strength, not weakness,” the source stated.

On the other hand, the same source indicated that Moscow might demonstrate “flexibility” regarding some territorial demands on Ukraine in exchange for concessions about the future shape of Europe’s security architecture.

The publication notes that, despite Trump’s desire to secure a quick deal on Ukraine, the Kremlin plans to turn the negotiations into a prolonged process focused on a broader European security pact.

“Essentially, this could mean that a Trump-Putin summit might divide the world into spheres of influence, guaranteeing Russia dominance over Ukraine, Georgia, and other former Soviet neighbors outside NATO. This would constrain NATO and jeopardize European security,” The Washington Post asserts.

Analysts suggest Trump’s primary goal will be to drive a wedge between Russia and China. However, according to The Washington Post, he is unlikely to succeed.

The outlet is also skeptical about the chances of reaching an agreement.

“Analysts see little hope for a peaceful settlement, given Putin’s maximalist stance and Trump’s fear of appearing weak if he concedes too much to Russia,” the publication writes.

It is worth noting that Putin stated yesterday that he is ready for talks with Trump but does not yet know when the meeting will take place.