Ukraine’s negotiations with the Russian Federation or escalation: the future of the war through the eyes of the European media
The year 2024 became an important and difficult stage in Ukraine’s war with Russia. Despite the heroic resistance and strong support of international partners, several key military operations did not bring the expected results. The offensive in the Kursk region, which began in August, became a test for both the Armed Forces of Ukraine and their allies. Western countries, having allowed the use of their weapons for attacks on military facilities on the territory of Russia, expected significant successes, but a decisive breakthrough was not achieved.
In this context, the prospect of negotiations appears again on the horizon. European media are actively discussing whether Ukraine will be able to maintain its position in future negotiations and how the results of the presidential elections in the USA, where Donald Trump may return, will affect the course of events. And although official Kyiv continues to emphasize the need for the complete liberation of its territories, the international community is increasingly talking about finding a compromise.
Dagens Nyheter – Sweden. A lot now depends on Washington, – notes the article of Stockholm’s Dagens Nyheter:
“If Trump dares to strengthen Ukraine before the negotiations, then the probability of reaching a long-term agreement could increase. However, judging by media reports, the upcoming negotiations are more like surrender.
If the Trump administration carefully analyzes the balance of power and plays its cards right, it could prevent another war in a year or two. If Washington pushes through a dubious decision that does not include security guarantees, it can be assumed that there will be only a short pause in this war, which has been going on since 2014.”
Aktuality.sk – Slovakia. The portal Aktuality.sk considers the trip of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to Putin on the eve of Christmas as a serious mistake, as well as Fico’s idea to offer Bratislava as a place for negotiations:
“Our foreign policy orientation towards the West is clearly written in the Constitution. It is also stated in the mandatory program of the government in NATO and the European Union. A country that is part of NATO cannot be neutral. Fico is committing treason.
… Once there was already an idea that Czechoslovakia could be a neutral country, which is a kind of bridge between East and West. This was the reaction of President Eduard Benes to the Munich betrayal of the Allies [in 1938], when he thus intended to secure the country from both the east and the west in the event of a world war.
… Russia later used these treaties during the communist coup of 1948, and even during the invasion of Slovakia in 1968.”
Correio da Manhã – Portugal. Lisbon’s Correio da Manhã fears that the wrong signal may be being sent:
“The world remains hostage to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
… Today it is a matter of whether international law works at all. The outcome of these conflicts will determine the future. If it turns out that you can sneeze at the right and aggression pays off, then other autocrats will repeat this experiment. It is possible that next year will be held under the sign of negotiations. However, these negotiations will be peaceful only if they take place in compliance with international norms that guarantee general security.”
Postimees – Estonia. Tallinn’s Postimees summarizes:
“Over the past year, the West has moved half a step away from Ukraine. It is no longer about how to help Ukraine win, but about how to conclude a truce on the most favorable terms. Any truce will affect the domestic political situation in Ukraine and will open up new possibilities of influence for Russia.
…Russia is arming itself and strengthening its army – this is evidenced by the official reports of the special services. So far, Ukraine’s situation is not hopeless, but in 2024, unfortunately, we started moving in the wrong direction. Against the background of the statements of the newly elected US President Donald Trump, the Kremlin took heart – and began to escalate this war.”
