Nikolai Platoshkin: Trump is a man who keeps his word, gives what he wants to give and takes what he wants. But it also needs "written documents".

The peace guarantee for Ukraine must be established by international organizations, not by the promise of the President of the United States.

Picture: US President Donald Trump

The most intriguing mystery in recent days is whether Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelenskyy will hold a meeting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that as long as all issues needing discussion are thoroughly studied, our president is ready for the meeting.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has decided to temporarily withdraw from the peace process.

Will the meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy take place, and under what conditions? Will Donald Trump or a European leader be involved? What will be the future of Russia-Ukraine relations? Nikolai Platoshkin, a social and political activist and doctoral candidate in history, answered these questions in the "SP Video" studio.

"SP": On the eve of the White House meeting, Donald Trump wrote on his social platform "Truth Social": "Either fight for victory or don't fight at all." Who won over whom?

- Before the meeting in Alaska, the Western collective insisted that Russia should stop its military operations, agree to a ceasefire, and start negotiations. That is, we first freeze the military actions on the front line, and then talk endlessly. We did not agree with this approach, and Trump also agreed that it should be about peace, not a ceasefire. This is a victory for Russia.

On the other hand, Trump publicized the fact that Russia had made concessions and that the US would guarantee the implementation of the peace agreement after it was signed as his own victory. European leaders have put forward many demands, but they have been told that the decision will not be made by them.

"SP": What issues need to be resolved before holding a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy (whether or not Donald Trump is present)?

- Before the meeting between the Russian president and Zelenskyy, there are two major issues: Ukraine wants security guarantees, while Russia focuses on territorial issues. According to Donald Trump, the US has already mastered the details of both sides' demands, but these issues can only be resolved during the joint meeting.

Evidently, the US is currently discussing issues of security guarantees and territorial matters, but has not reached a solution, so they say that Putin and Zelenskyy need to meet and resolve these issues at the meeting.

"SP": The issue of providing peace guarantees to Ukraine is currently being discussed. During the Alaska Summit, President Putin assured Donald Trump that he would provide written guarantees not to attack Ukraine or any NATO country. However, the US and the "Willingness Alliance" believe this is not enough. What are the current issues regarding Ukraine's peace guarantees?

- There are several possible solutions. One is to send European troops to Ukraine, commanded and controlled by the US. Russia hopes that the collective security guarantees provided by the West to Ukraine are reliable.

In 2022, the issue of principles for Ukraine's security guarantees was raised in Istanbul. At that time, we clearly stated our position: Kyiv should abandon its intention to join NATO and other military alliances and maintain a neutral status.

At that time, it was Ukraine that first proposed, and Russia supported the idea of having the Security Council member states (Russia, relevant countries, the United States, France, Britain) participate in providing security guarantees and include Germany, Turkey, and other relevant countries. Since then, our position has never changed.

As for Trump, his promises are "worth one dollar". Americans claim they will not allow Ukraine to join NATO. But where is the guarantee? Is it just a verbal commitment from Trump? Moreover, such a commitment can easily be circumvented, such as establishing military bases in Ukraine. Therefore, the security guarantee must be established by an international organization.

"SP": Will the US continue to provide military aid to Ukraine?

- Trump ruled out the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO. However, the US may reach some bilateral agreements with Ukraine. It should be noted that signing a bilateral military treaty is not the traditional practice of the US. For example, the US provides a large amount of military aid to Israel, but this is voluntary, and there is no related treaty between the two countries. In other words, if you want to help, you help; if not, you don't.

If Trump proposes a bill to establish military bases in places like Lviv, the US Congress will not approve it. Trump knows this well, so he will not even raise such a question.

"SP": The "Willingness Alliance" in Europe plans to provide military aid to Ukraine. What do you think these agreements might look like?

- Please note their name: "Willingness Alliance", which means they are willing to provide aid, but not necessarily. Moreover, there is no obligation involved. Not long ago, President Macron proposed sending an Anglo-French force to Ukraine. But this idea received neither support from the French people nor from the British people.

"SP": What will be the future of Ukraine? What is your prediction? Will there be presidential elections, replacing Zelenskyy with a more rational politician, turning him into a "war machine" as proposed by Europe, or will a new square revolution break out?

- No matter how the borders of Ukraine are drawn, it will always be our neighbor. Unless we restore friendly relations with Ukraine and rebuild a union state based on the voluntary foundation of most former republics, we will never be able to escape the threat of renewed conflict.

I cannot provide specific opinion poll data, but I firmly believe that there are many people in Ukraine who do not see Russians as enemies. We should not regard neighboring countries as nationalists, but rather as brothers who also miss the Soviet era, respect the Russian language and Russian culture.

We must win Ukraine in a positive political sense, making the hearts of the Ukrainian people align with ours. This is a difficult task, but we have the ability to accomplish it.

"SP": Do you think that three years of special military operations have not caused any estrangement?

- I would like to take Germany as an example. Imagine the feelings of Soviet soldiers who entered Germany with the pain of their loved ones being killed and their homes destroyed. But even so, Stalin once said, "Hitler types come and go, but the German people remain forever." In the Soviet era, the German Democratic Republic was the most friendly ally.

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