LOS ANGELES.–Calling on the international community to step up pressure on 72-year-old Russian President Volodymyr Zelensk, 47-year-old Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plays salesman once again, hurting his own cause if he wants to end the Ukraine War. Zelensky’s public remarks ofter disparage Putin as not serious about peace because he didn’t immediately take Zelensky up on direct talks in Istanbul. Putin and Zelensky have no ceasefire and peace agreement only vague ideas of what both sides want. Zelensky wants his sovereign land back after over three years of war with the Kremlin. Zelensky has lost some 20-25% of Ukraine’s sovereign land, depending on who’s counting. But it any peace talks, Zelensky wants all his lost sovereign land returned. Putin wants his spoils of the over three-year war that has cost the Russian Federation copious blood and treasure.
Zelensky speaks publicly often criticizing Putin for refusing to accept his demand for a 30-day ceasefire while the two sides try to hammer out a peace settlement. Putin wants Russian and Ukrainian delegations to work out the details, specify the demands before he meets with Zelensky directly. Zelensky thinks he has a real ace-in-the-hole with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz towers over Zelensky with his six-foot-six frame, dwarfing the Ukrainian leader, giving him a false sense of security. Merz doesn’t know his job yet having only served as chancellor for three weeks. Merz said that the days of range restrictions on weapons have been lifted, giving Zelensky the green light to strike deep inside the Russian Federation. Putin warned EU or other countries supplying long-range weapons to Zelensky to strike deep inside Russia that it’s an act of war.
Zelensky thinks that the U.S. under Trump has been remiss in supplying Ukraine long-range weapons to attack inside Russia. “There is not enough pressure,” Zelensky said on broadcaster RTL Wednesday in Berlin. “The United States is involved, but not 100%. Other countires, like China and those from the Global South, are holding back,” Zelensky said. Well, in case Zelensky hasn’t noticed, not all countries back his side of the conflict. China and India, the world’s most populous countries, remain neutral. They want the war to end but don’t want Zelensky threatening Putin or escalating the war. Zelensky has backing in the EU but it’s not clear whether or not Brussels is willing to fund the war with the Kremlin. Looks like the EU wants Zelensky to cut a peace deal with Putin and end the war. So, all of Merz talks about long-range restrictions seems out of touch.
Zelensky keeps provoking the situation before the Ukrainian and Russia delegations get together in Istanbul for another round of discussions. “We will have a just peace—but only after Putin,” Zelensky said, suggesting that he can’t get any justice with Putin in power. What kind of talk is that for someone trying to work out terms of a peace deal? He doesn’t think he can get a fair deal until Putin leaves office. Doesn’t sound like someone who wants to strike a peace deal anytime soon. Whether Zelensky likes it or not, Putin is the leader of Russia and he must deal with him as an equal negotiating partner. Zelensky likes hearing from EU leaders like Merz that he wants to slap the Russian Federation with more sanctions for Putin’s reluctance to sign onto a 30-day ceasefire agreement. Trump advised Zelensky on more than one occasion to control his mouth if he wants just peace.
Zelensky has been at war with the Kremlin for three years, doing his best to drag the U.S. and NATO into the conflict. While not admitting it now, he would like the U.S. and EU to contribute troops to Ukraine’s defense. Zelensky doesn’t understand why every nation doesn’t support his war with the Kremlin. “Peace, which begins with a ceasefire and the moves toward lasting solutions, could start tomorrow,” Zelensky said, knowing that Putin wants his delegation in Istanbul to present a memorandum containing the conditions for a long-term settlement. “I want Germany to be one of the leading nations at the negotiating table, both in diplomacy and rebuilding,” Zelensky said. After meeting with his friendly giant Merz, he wants the six-foot-six German leader to dwarf Putin in any peace talks. Zelensky’s idea of peace talks sounds more like an elementary school playyard, where might makes right.
Zelensky has no advantage with Merz pushing Putin for a peace deal. Merz lacks the global diplomacy necessary to get Zelensky the kind of deal he’s looking for. If he relied on Trump, he’d be a lot better off securing a fair peace settlement with Putin. Putin trusts Trump to be fair to both sides, knowing that Trump’s highest priority is ending the war to save Ukrainian and Russian lives. Zelensky has no magic bullet with Merz adopting him as his little brother in any peace talks. Putin won’t make any deal, no matter what the threats, unless the deal is good for the Russian Federation. Trump might convince Putin to give up a little to get a lot, including an end to global sanctions on the Russian Federation. Trump wants to end the Russian oil embargo, allowing Putin to sell oil in world markets. Following Trump would be best for both Russia and Ukraine.
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.
