Radar Armenia‘s interlocutor is international affairs expert Shahan Gandaharian.
– How do you interpret the Trump-Putin and then the Trump-Zelensky meeting? Do the active events of recent days on this front give reason to think that the parties will reach peace?
– It is too early to conclude that the parties will reach peace. However, a new round is beginning with the US as the arbitrator. There will be trilateral, bilateral, and perhaps even quadrilateral meetings. Negotiations will begin. The key will be the exchange of territories. At first, Zelensky ruled out such a topic, but then he clarified that they will negotiate regarding territories. There will be pressure to cease fire in the context of the negotiations.
– And what expectations can be had from the upcoming trilateral meeting?
– It is not excluded that the trilateral will be replaced by bilateral, direct negotiations. Trump’s involvement suggests that something will change—not necessarily in terms of a final peace but in terms of the start of a new process. The core of Trump’s foreign policy is economic. Trump wants to use Ukraine’s rare metals and unload the US budget by reducing aid.
– What did this mean since several European leaders also attended the Trump-Zelensky meeting?
– Europe is worried about possible agreements that bypass it. The US receives mines in exchange for its aid. Europe’s concern is mainly related to security issues, of course, related to energy projects. Europe wants to provide these guarantees. The concept of Europe is puzzling here: there are different approaches and interests on the part of other European countries. France is seen at the forefront, which, in the end, will follow Washington’s instructions.
– Zelensky has expressed willingness to discuss the issue of territories with Putin. How would you comment on this?
– Yes, as I mentioned, the previously harsh position of not discussing the issue of territories has changed. Zelensky is playing by the rules specified by the US. He has nothing else to do. The formula for exchanging territories will definitely come to the negotiating table—and this is Trump’s formula.
