Likely meeting between Trump and Putin will determine Ukraine's future - The Telegraph

The USA can force Putin to recognise Ukraine as a sovereign state and sit down at the negotiating table with Zelensky. This opinion was expressed by British businessman and philanthropist Michael Ashcroft in an article for The Telegraph.

Analysing the course of negotiations in Turkey, Ashcroft notes that Vladimir Putin, for the first time since 2014, found himself in a difficult situation. He did not fly to the talks in Istanbul, sending a low-level delegation, which, according to Ashcroft, was not an accident, but a strategic move to humiliate the Ukrainian president and emphasise his status.

The author emphasises that the US and Russia are now preparing a meeting between Trump and Putin, although Ukraine continues to insist on direct talks between Zelensky and the Russian president. Ashcroft believes that such talks are key to Ukraine's sovereignty, as the independence of the neighbouring state is a threat to the Kremlin.

If the meeting between Trump and Putin takes place, according to Ashcroft, it could affect the outcome of the current crisis and the future of Ukraine. At the same time, he emphasises that any agreement must include recognition of Ukraine as an independent state.

Lord Ashcroft is confident that Trump has real leverage over Russia, including the ability to impose new sanctions. These tools should be used wisely, as not only Ukraine's future but also global security depends on this.