"Trump is openly playing into Putin's hands": What Ukraine can expect from peace talks with Russia.

The issue of potential negotiations to end the fighting in Ukraine is extremely complex and has many hidden challenges, both from our enemies and, as it turns out, from our allies. Every Ukrainian is concerned with the question: when and how exactly can a ceasefire come in this war?

TSN.ua asked military expert how much time this will take and how such decisions are made, who should act as a guarantor of the ceasefire.

Strange guarantor of the ceasefire

According to military expert Ihor Romanenko, the U.S. and its President Donald Trump are trying to act as a guarantor of the ceasefire.

"But the way they are doing this is not acceptable to many, both in Ukraine and Europe. Because Trump is clearly playing into Putin's hands, which is obvious from his statements. But, as hard as it may be for us, we need to move forward on the path to ending the fighting. A preliminary agreement on rare earth metals has been reached, and there is progress on security issues – these are central steps for us. It's also very important that statements from Trump's camp indicate that Ukraine will take part in the negotiations," says Ihor Romanenko, military expert, retired lieutenant general, and former deputy chief of the General Staff (2006-2010).

Step by step to negotiations

According to the expert, all further actions of the parties will be discussed and fixed step by step.

"And then, the issue of the line of demarcation will be raised: whether troops will be withdrawn from this line and how far. Where exactly and in what capacity will 30,000 European soldiers be sent, and whether this will happen at all. By the way, whether their status will be peacekeeping is a big question. They could receive their status from the UN, EU, or even from France and the UK," Ihor Romanenko notes.

How long could this drag on

He says that the main and urgent issues are currently being worked on and discussed by the parties. They are gradually being agreed upon by everyone.

"Negotiations will not be a walk in the park, it is clear that they will take place under very difficult conditions. Trump and Putin have decided that the fighting must stop by April, and by May 9, Putin is preparing a parade in Moscow, even inviting China's leader Xi. In one way or another, this date also suits Trump. He no longer talks about one day or one hundred days to stop the war, but says it will take a year to reach some kind of agreement on a ceasefire. So, unfortunately, this process could stretch throughout 2025," Ihor Romanenko emphasizes.

What confused Trump

The military expert highlights the importance of our president's bold statement that he is ready to step down for peace in Ukraine, if anyone questions his legitimacy.

"This message, in my opinion, completely confused both Trump and the Russians – it was a very strong step. Thanks to such actions, we will gradually approach the negotiations themselves. In my opinion, Ukraine should play the leading role in the negotiation process. Because this directly concerns us, and we must consistently defend our position on each point. Trump and Putin are pressing their own agendas, but Ukraine has the support of Europe. In this confrontation, each subsequent step will emerge," Ihor Romanenko summarizes.

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