In the world of high-stakes diplomacy, there is always more than meets the eye. Recently, President Trump and President Putin held a summit that has created a whirlwind of opinions and critiques. Naturally, individuals opposed to Trump were quick to declare the meeting as a failure, accusing the President of capitulating to Putin. However, this quick judgment overlooks the nuances and the subtleties of peacemaking, which is a complex process demanding careful negotiations. The summit laid down critical principles for potential peace agreements, even if they were not broadcast with triumphant fanfare.
The reality of international diplomacy is that it often involves long, intricate discussions and agreements behind closed doors. Trump and Putin delved into sensitive proposals that require delicate salesmanship to get Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European leaders on board. The absence of a Q&A session post-conference was a strategic decision to ensure these delicate discussions remained intact. Significantly, following the summit, several European leaders voiced support for Trump’s peace efforts, underscoring a united push for peace with necessary security guarantees. There’s no chorus of disapproval from Europe, which is refreshing in today’s political climate.
For Trump, one of the challenges is the considerable baggage from the previous administration. In particular, the task of navigating the previous administration’s policies while addressing current geopolitical challenges is fraught with difficulty. Yet, there is a promising path forward as laid out in the summit, even if reaching the goal will take time and numerous negotiations. The criticism from some quarters fails to recognize that peace agreements are forged through a series of painful compromises and tough diplomatic engagement.
In this diplomatic dance, Trump’s decision to use sanctions flexibly has surprised many, including Putin. Initially attempting cordial diplomacy with Russia, Trump turned to the stick of sanctions, which seemed to have caught Putin off guard. Applying secondary sanctions on nations dealing with Russia’s oil and gas sector, such as India, appears to have at least partially driven Putin to the negotiation table. Putin’s struggling economy, heavily dependent on oil and gas, has little choice but to explore pathways back to international cooperation and economic stability.
As the world eyes future developments post-summit, critical steps will involve Trump engaging in intense diplomacy with Zelenskyy and European leaders to gain their buy-in on what was discussed with Putin. Getting significant compromises from all parties involved, including Europe, is essential. Speculatively, a future meeting in Moscow, suggested by Putin and not dismissed by Trump, could further these efforts, provided it is predicated on meaningful concessions by Russia. Despite the skepticism, the summit may well plant the seeds for a potential peace agreement that, though not yet fully visible, could bear fruit with continued diplomatic pressure and engagement.
