LOS ANGELES.–Ukraine’s 47-year-old President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would meet 72-year-old Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ankara on March 15, or if necessary, move the talks to Istanbul at Putin’s request. Zelensky said previously he would not go to Turkey if Putin refused to attend. Zelensky and an EU group led by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that if Putin doesn’t attend the peace talks in Turkey, they would apply more economic sanctions against the Russia Federation. Zelensky encouraged President Donald Trump to slap Putin with more economic sanctions to coerce him in joining peace talks. Zelensky has accused Putin to dragging his feet on peace talks when Zelensky has been the one setting unrealistic conditions making any preliminary agreement impossible.
Putin’s playing his cards close to his vest, not saying whether or not he would show up directly to meet Zelensky in Ankara or Istanbul. Waiting for dramatic effect, it looks like no news means he’s planning on showing up or Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov would have made an announcement. “If Putin does not arrive and plays game, it is the final point that he does not want to end this war,” Zelensky said, showing that he’s a real amateur at international diplomacy. Instead of constantly venting his insecurities to the press, Zelensky would be better off to remain silent. Zelensky and his EU partners have been pressuring Putin to attend the meeting threatening to slap the Kremlin with more economic sanctions. Putin is the one that suggested peace talks in Istanbul so where’s the need for Zelensky and the EU to play heavy handed with Putin?
Zelensky said if Putin doesn’t show up the EU and the U.S. should slap Putin with more punitive economic sanctions. Zelensky is in no position to dictate U.S. foreign policy or tell Trump how he should respond if Putin doesn’t show up. Trump has been pushing for peace talks, certainly not Zelensky or anyone in the EU. So, should Trump threaten to sanction Zelensky or the EU because they’ve been reluctant to move forward on peace talks? Zelensky complains that Trump’s peace plans all favor Russia, when, in fact, they favor no one, only try to get a peace deal to end the Ukraine War. EU officials have tried to negotiate a better deal for Ukraine and instead have made things worse for Zelensky. If Zelenksy meets Putin directly in Turkey, he’d better not pull the same stunt he did with Trump Feb. 28 in the Oval Office. Zelensky threw a fit that got him nowhere.
When it comes to dealing with Putin, Zelensky would be far better off letting Trump handle the negotiation because there’s more trust to pull off a reasonable deal. Trump has no dog in the fight other than fulfilling a campaign promise to end the war. “We are waiting for Putin’s agreement,” said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz has been saying the ball is in Putin’s court, meaning that the EU made its ultimatum and it’s up to Putin to acquiesce. But why should the EU throw in its two cents when Zelensky is the aggrieved party, spending the last three years at war with the Kremlin. “We agree that, in case there is not real progress this week, we then want to push at the European level for a significant tightening of sanctions,” Merz said, taking Zelensky’s position of coercing Putin. Whether Putin reacts to Merz’s threats or not, Putin has said nothing yet about the Istanbul meeting.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has been hammered by the press whether or not Putin plans to attend the Istanbul or Ankara meeting with Zelensky. “As soon as the president considers it necessary, we will make an announcement,” Peskov said, cutting of the press from asking more questions. If you read between the lines, it looks like Putin plans to attend the meeting, making an unexpected appearance. Whatever you say about Putin, he needs to be the center of attention, with the EU and Zelensky waiting to hear if he’ll attend. Putin has nothing to lose and much to gain by attending direct talks with Zelensky. Even if they don’t agree on everything, at least the U.S. will be placated, knowing he’s taking things seriously. Zelensky and EU leaders don’t realize that Putin has nothing to lose ending the war. He’s already seized more Ukrainian sovereign territory in three years of war.
Zelensky and the EU want an unconditional 30-day ceasefire so that the warring parties can stake out their positions. It’s doubtful that preliminary meeting will result in a negotiated settlement, since both sides don’t know what to expect. “Ukraine is ready for any format of negotiations with Russia, but a ceasefire must come first,” said Andrii Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office. Whether Ukraine or the EU gets what it wants is anyone’s guess in a first meeting between Zelensky and Putin. Zelensky has much more to lose by not meeting with Putin. He’s been told by the EU and Trump to meet with Putin and see what happens. Trump wants both sides to agree to the 30-day ceasefire and long-term peace deal. Zelensky has to save face with the Ukrainian people since he’s lost so much sovereign territory in three years of war. Putin has no reason to keep fighting.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
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