World
December 16, 2024 12:50
europe, ukraine, united states, russia - The return of Trump to the White House has accelerated negotiations for a peace deal in Ukraine, with European leaders now fighting for a seat at the negotiation table.
Negotiations for a peace deal in Ukraine have gained momentum with the return of Trump to the White House. European leaders, who have been playing the same tune for almost three years, are now witnessing a shift in approach. Trump has expressed his desire to quickly make a deal with Russia for peace in Ukraine, causing Europeans to fear being sidelined and prompting them to take action.
“We need to ensure that European countries are at the table, so that Trump does not decide on the security architecture in Europe with Putin,” said Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans in an interview with Trouw. This marks the first time the Dutch government has openly discussed negotiations.
Interestingly, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is often criticized by many European leaders, made a similar statement at an EU summit in Budapest a month ago, albeit with a comparison to World War II that was deemed excessive.
The focus now is on Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and French President Emmanuel Macron, who reportedly discussed the deployment of a peacekeeping force with tens of thousands of European soldiers in Warsaw last week.
While the Netherlands has previously insisted on no 'boots on the ground' in Ukraine, VVD Minister Brekelmans is now paving the way for a new narrative, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace.
According to Politico, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Chief Mark Rutte are scheduled to meet with several European leaders in Brussels on Wednesday, on the eve of an EU summit, to discuss peace initiatives.
Given the uncertainty surrounding U.S. support for Ukraine under Trump, Zelensky hinted at the possibility of peace in 2025 during a speech in the European Parliament.
NATO allies have been deliberating on potential outcomes in the event of a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the likelihood of Ukraine ceding some territory, including Crimea. The negotiation position of Ukraine is precarious, as Russian forces continue to advance.
One proposed peace scenario involves the remaining parts of Ukraine joining NATO. However, the prospect of a peacekeeping force under NATO or EU auspices remains slim, as it is unlikely to be accepted by Putin in a deal. A coalition of European countries appears more feasible, with calls to involve Canada in the plans.
Despite speculation, there has been no indication from the Kremlin regarding a willingness to engage in peace talks. NATO Chief Mark Rutte has expressed concerns about negotiating a peace agreement without Putin at the table, emphasizing the need for caution.