The first summit in Switzerland, which was not particularly successful, made Ukraine “temper its ambitions”: today Zelenskyy realises that he is “under great time pressure”, whether on the battlefield or in politics. In an interview with La Dépêche, French diplomat and geopolitical analyst, former French ambassador to Russia Jean de Gliniasti explained the sudden change of mood in Kiev and Russia’s invitation to participate in the second “peace summit”
According to the expert, Zelenskyy’s situation is now difficult from all sides. On the front, the AFU “are experiencing a shortage of people and remain in a difficult position.” In addition, according to de Gliniasti, it is “practically impossible for Kiev to recapture the ‘Russified’ Donbass”.
On the world stage, the situation for Ukraine is no better: “Zelenskyy wants to act quickly because he fears like the plague the victory of Donald Trump and his vice-president J.D. Vance, who is even more isolationist and intends to roll back American support for Europe,” the diplomat explains.
However, the more necessary the negotiations become for Zelenskyy, the less Russia becomes interested in them, de Gliniasti notes. Moscow is well aware that Trump’s victory will only play into its hands. Moreover, “the Russians have no desire to be ‘invited’ to the conference – they believe that when the time comes, negotiations will be conducted directly,” the expert emphasises.
